Bermuda is steeped in history almost everywhere you go. If you are the type who wishes to take a huge leap back in time, there is no better place to go than Bermuda. Spend your days walking around and feasting your eyes on these masterpieces of another age and time. Here are some of the best historical spots to visit while on a Bermudian vacation.
Crystal Caves
Go back to the Pleistocene Ice Age as you explore the many wonders of the limestone caves in Bermuda. As a matter of fact, if this is your type of adventure, you couldn’t have chosen a better place to go as Bermuda has one of the highest concentrations of limestone caves in the whole world. You can choose to walk in these underground caverns and marvel at nature’s powers or you can take it one step further by going spelunking. You can even hire a tour guide to help you throughout your adventure.
Fort St. Catherine
Located at 15 Coot Pond Road, this historic fort is open to visitors daily from 10 am to 4 pm. It was named after the patron saint of carpenters and wheelwrights. According to history, Fort St. Catherine is located on a cliff just above the beach where Sea Venture wrecked in 1609. Five years after that fateful event, the fort was built. It has been added onto and modified over the years, the last of which was done in between 1865 and 1878. There are various exhibits on display within the fort, which will give you a sense of Bermuda’s rich history.
Gates Fort
Named after Sir Thomas Gates, who was one of the original settlers who came on the Sea Venture, this old watch tower is now partially ruined. There is really nothing to see inside the two-story edifice. However, the rich history that surrounds Gates Fort is palpable even as you gaze upon it from the outside.
African Diaspora Heritage Trail
This was recently launched to commemorate the historic role of African slaves in Bermuda’s history. It is basically a self-guided tour which you can take. To help you on your way, you can avail of free brochures from the tourist offices. The brochure will point you to the different sites which hold a special place in this part of Bermuda’s history.
St. George
Well known to history buffs, this town’s history is closely linked with that of the American Civil War. It is so full of historical nuances that you might just feel as if you had taken a step back in time. Roads and lanes have names peculiar to that era – Petticoat Lane and Barber’s Lane are but some examples. When visiting St. George, the idea is to soak in the town’s atmosphere as a whole. There is no need to worry if you have no time to enter each and every building in town. Just make sure you do pay this town a visit. It is, after all, a UNESCO World Heritage Site!