Location: Port Royal
Top Things to do in Port Royal
Countries
What to do and see in Port Royal, Kingston Parish: The Best Historic Sites
Port Royal is a village located at the end of the Palisadoes at the mouth of the Kingston Harbour, in southeastern Jamaica. Founded in 1518 by the Spanish, it was once the largest city in the Caribbean, functioning as the centre of shipping and commerce in the Caribbean Sea by the latter half of the 17th century. It was destroyed by an earthquake on June 7, 1692, which had an accompanying tsunami. Severe hurricanes have regularly damaged it. Another severe earthquake occurred in 1907.
Restaurants in Port Royal
1. Fort Charles
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 84 reviews
Reviewed By RobinH955 - Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
We got a tour out here as it is about 45 mins to 1 hour journey from Kingston past the international airport. This was a fort built by the English to protect port royal harbour(the only one left of five). The local Jamaica heritage guide was born and brought up here so knows the fort from being a child and has many stories to tell . There is a small but well presented maritime museum in the courtyard which contains relics retrieved from the sea following the 17th century earthquake and tsunami that destroyed a large part of what was the pirate capital of the Caribbean. During the 18th century the port became the royal navy command for the west indies and Nelson spent 30 months here. The guide also takes you to the giddy house which was an artillery store which subsided during the 1907 earthquake and now sits at an angle. the guide also showed us how to pick ripe almonds from the trees that grew in the courtyard which were delicious. The guide also sells a guidebook to the maritime museum for about 1000j$ . The fort makes a good site for photographs/cannons, parapets etc. An excellent trip and worth the effort.
2. Fort Morgan
3. Fort Walker
4. Fort Rupert
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 4 reviews
