Barbados – UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Bridgetown is a port town and the capital of Barbados. Its central business district is the national centre serving as the primary focus for major office, parliamentary, and shopping services for the island. The Garrison is one of eight Cultural Heritage Conservation Areas on the island and represents a very distinguished era of military colonial history. Within the precincts of this Site, there are one hundred and fifteen listed buildings.

The combination of Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison represents a worthy collection of history, colonial and vernacular architecture and good elements of the art and science of town planning. On June 25, 2011 Barbados joined an elite group of nations with world heritage properties when Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This inscription is a tremendous feat for a small Caribbean island states. It presented the opportunity to address the obvious geographical imbalance in sites from Latin American and the Caribbean.

PARKS AND LANDMARKS
Whilst enjoying all the beauty and historical value of the world UNESCO site – Bridgetown and its Garrison, be sure to check out some historical parks, sites, statues, monuments and interesting landmarks that can be found around the site. There is also a historic lighthouses dating back to the mid 1800s.

BLACKWOODS SCREW DOCK
Blackwoods Screw Dock is a beautiful and unique historic site located in the heart of Bridgetown. It is the only remaining Screw Dock of its kind in existence in the world with a rich and vibrant history.

Take a walk through history as you enter our Historical Maritime Centre featuring interesting and unique artefacts, displays and photos of Barbados from the 19th and 20th centuries.

Then enjoy a cold refreshing drink from our bar, Blackwood’s Tavern, which also offers delicious fare including fresh salads, local favorites like fish cakes and Bajan flying fish cutters, as well as delightful grilled dishes.

Complete your visit with access to the beautiful nearby beach. We offer shower and changing facilities, lounge chairs, and umbrellas for your enjoyment!

THE GARRISON SAVANNAH
The location is the Historic Garrison Savannah, close to the capital, Bridgetown. The Garrison Savannah has been the home of horse racing in Barbados since 1845. The officers of the British Regiment, who were stationed in Barbados, used what was then the parade ground to match their horses in races and the wealthy merchants and planters later joined them.

Explore books and artefacts rich in Caribbean history

LIBRARIES AND MUSEUMS
The libraries and museums in Barbados are packed with fascinating books and beautiful objects, everyone with a story to tell.
If you’re looking for a Barbados library, then you’re pretty much spoiled for choice. The two main examples on the island are the Shilstone Memorial Library and the National Library in the capital Bridgetown. The first of these, the Shilstone Library, has a diverse and fascinating collection of more than 6,000 books journals and pamphlets. No matter what area of life in the Caribbean interests you, you’ll find plenty worth exploring here – from history, pre-history and archaeology, through to information on art, architecture, furniture and craft, alongside a collection of stunning rare books from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. As a visitor to Barbados you can become a member of the National Library and while away some time exploring the reference section, which is packed with information on the society and history of this beautiful island.

If you want to take a more hands-on approach to studying Barbados history, then visit one of the many museums in Barbados. There are no fewer than nine museums, where you’ll find information and educational content, set out in an interactive and entertaining manner. The newest of the museums boast state of the art displays which utilize cutting edge technology, but the more traditional institutions have plenty of offer visitors as well. The Barbados Museum and Historical Society has an amazing 500,000 artifacts which, between them, preserve the past of Barbados and tell the tale of Caribbean development right up until the 21st Century.

Some of the museums in Barbados are housed within buildings which, in themselves, are historically significant. Pay a visit while you’re exploring the island and you’ll relish the chance to explore its rich and fascinating history.