Читать книгу VI Settler's Handbook - Mr. Cheyenne Harty - Страница 19

Our round-the-island tour begins with the historic city of Christiansted. Several blocks of the wharf area have been designated a National Historic Site by the National Park Service. The town features narrow streets and sturdy architecture similar to the style of the 18th century neo-classical. The strict requirements of the Danish building code, established in 1747 for fire and hurricane, spared the town from the dangers that have destroyed many historic areas elsewhere.

Among the most striking of these Danish structures is Fort Christianvaern, which currently serves as headquarters for the National Park Service and is a perfect place to begin an architectural tour of the town. This bright yellow fort overlooks Christiansted Harbor, Protestant Cay (home to Hotel on the Cay and once a burial ground for Protestants barred from the island cemetery by the French Catholic administration), scores of yachts, St. Thomas, and St. John. A prime example of colonial military architecture, the fort contains posted descriptions of the town’s historic buildings. These include, the Danish Customs House, the Scalehouse, Government House, Danish West India & Guinea Company Warehouse, and the Steeple Building, which all date from the earliest period.

Fort Christiansvaern and the Steeple Building are open to the Public. The fort is open seven days a week except Thanksgiving and Christmasfrom The Steeple Building is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 773-1460 for more information.