St. John's - the capital of Antigua and Barbuda

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

St. John's is the capital and largest city and port in the nation called Antigua and Barbuda. Few people know that there are many historical and cultural monuments that deserve the attention of tourists. In this publication, we will talk about what to see in St. John's and what entertainment awaits tourists in the capital of Antigua and Barbuda.

General information

The location of the capital occupies one of the bays of the island of Antigua. As for the climatic conditions, here they are considered to be tropical. Temperatures reach from twenty-five to thirty degrees Celsius. Most of the rain falls in summer and autumn.

Historical reference. Antigua and Barbuda on the world map

In the first half of the 17th century, Great Britain took possession of the island of Antigua, so the city was founded by the British. A century later, industrial enterprises developed here, which processed sugar cane, which gave unprecedented income. From African territoriesbrought slaves who worked both on the land and in factories. They are the ancestors of the modern inhabitants of the state. In the first half of the 19th century, slavery was abolished, but the life of the population in St. John's still remained quite difficult for many years. The city became the capital after the country gained independence in the 80s of the last century, and such a state as Antigua and Barbuda appeared on the world map.

Capital of Antigua

The city of St. John's is a commercial center and a well-known destination for tourists. However, at the same time, it is considered to be a rather non-standard capital. About thirty thousand people live in this city, and this already makes up half of the entire population of Antigua and Barbuda. Despite the fact that a huge number of tourists come here every year, most of St. John's are samples of ancient Caribbean architectural monuments. Tourist leisure is based on spending time in places near the harbor, as well as a picturesque area called Radcliffe Kwai, which has many cafes, shops, exhibition centers and museums, as well as a large number of old houses that delight travelers with their color. A certain part of the buildings has been restored, and the other will simply collapse soon, but all together - this is the spirit of the former capital and its history, which is so popular with those who come here. It will only take you a couple of hours to see all of St. John's, as the main monuments of interest are nearby each other.from a friend.

Historic sights of the city

It is imperative to look at the neo-baroque temple, the construction date of which dates back to the end of the first half of the 19th century. The tower structures of the church are a kind of identification mark of Antigua and Barbuda, as well as one of the rarest examples of architectural monuments made of wood and stone. In addition, you need to visit the museum complex, which is located in the courthouse (mid-18th century), located to the west of the cathedral. In the museum you can see an interesting historical exposition, as well as learn a lot about the cultural features of the life of local Indians and life in colonial times. Carnival site Long Street is full of old architecture, notable among which are 17th century liquor stores (and still open!). In the small Nika-Mali gallery, you can see exhibitions of artists. Also, if you want to get acquainted with the atmosphere of St. John's, you need to go to the old pier of Radcliffe Quay, which is the best suited for this purpose. This area of the city is considered one of the oldest, because in these places there are many shops, as well as cafes and bars located in the buildings of former warehouses. Behind this place, down Nevis Street, you will find a section of the old slave market, and to the north of it - the streets of Haridage Kwai, near which ships sailing on cruises stop. It is because of this that you can go to duty-free shops here, as well asgo to a theater performance or look at the monuments of local memorials.

What to do in St. John's?

If you come to Antigua, St. John's will please you with a farmer's market, which is located in the south of the capital. On weekends, there are a lot of people who want to buy local goods. Cricket is considered to be the most famous sport game on the island, therefore, competitions among local teams are even held in Antigua. A large number of travelers from various countries come to the capital, including because of the opportunity to relax on excellent clean beaches. If you want to enjoy exotic cuisine, be sure to try seafood and drink a fruit drink according to a local recipe.