Overview:

Charles Fort is a 17th-century fort situated on the south coast of Barbados. The fort is a Grade I property and was constructed in 1650 up to 1656 when it was completed. It is located approximately one half mile (0.8 km) from Saint Michael Parish. Its immediate surroundings contain a number of buildings, ruins and a garden that make up the historic site. Charles Fort was used for military purposes in the defense of the island until being abandoned in the late 19th century. It also served as a prison up until the mid-1800s. Today, Charles Fort is open to visitors and is managed by the Barbados National Trust. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Barbados
Prominent Features:

Charles Fort is located in Saint Michael in Barbados. It is a historic fort situated on a hill overlooking the capital, Bridgetown. The fort was built in 1639 by the British military to defend the island from attack. It has four tiers of defense, including several defenses, such as the Barbados cannons, Combermere bastion, and various gun batteries. It is surrounded by a dry moat that contains several masonry and stone elements. Charles Fort is one of the most visited attractions in St. Michael and is a well-known site in Barbados. Visitors can get a great view of the capital city and the Caribbean Sea, and nearby attractions include the Barbados Museum and Historical Society, the Parliament Buildings, and the City Of Bridgetown Park. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Barbados.

History:

Charles Fort, located in the parish of St. Michael in Barbados, was constructed during the 1650s by the British to defend the island against attacks by the Spanish. The fort was built on the site of a 16th century Spanish fort that had been destroyed by the English in 1651. Charles Fort was the largest fortification in Barbados and was made up of several structures including a lumbering gun emplacement, barracks, and a powder magazine. It expanded throughout the 17th century and continued to be used for coastal defences until the 19th century. During the Napoleonic Wars Charles Fort was modernized and new structures were added such as a barracks and guardhouse, storehouse, cannons, and a gun platform. During the 18th and 19th centuries, Charles Fort was used as a prisoner of war camp for French and Dutch prisoners. It was also used by the British government to incarcerate slaves who had escaped from slave ships. In 1834, it ceased to be a military installation and was used as a quarantine station for ill immigrants. Charles Fort has since been renovated and is now a popular tourist attraction. It offers visitors a view of the Caribbean and a chance to see the historic fort and its surrounding buildings. Visit one of the famous monuments of Barbados with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. Charles Fort is a 17th-century British fort located in St. Michael, Barbados. 2. It is one of the oldest surviving British military fortifications in the Caribbean. 3. It was built between 1650 and 1660 during the Second Anglo-Dutch War, to defend against possible Spanish or French attacks. 4. The fort is a triangular design that stands on the shoreline of Carlisle Bay in Bridgetown. 5. It was designed around the harbour’s natural harbour, which allowed for four guns to defend the bay. 6. It is a Grade I listed building and designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as part of the Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison district. 7. The fort has been in use since the 1660s, with its most recent role being a battery in World War II. 8. Over the years, the fort has acted as a garrison, prison, and barracks. 9. It was renamed Fort Charles in honour of King Charles II of England in 1689, but the locals still refer to it as Charles Fort. 10. The fort is open to the public and can be accessed by taking a taxi or bus from Bridgetown. One of the historical monuments of Barbados, it tells the story of a bygone era