Points of Interest In and Around Castries,
st Lucia
Around 60,000 people or over a third of the population lives in the
vicinity of the st Lucia's bustling capital Castries. Although much
of the original colonial architecture was destroyed by several devastating
fires, there are several historic buildings and parks of interest,
including the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (constructed
in 1894), the Derek Walcott Square, named after st Lucia’s
Nobel Laureate in Literature (1992), the Victorian-style Castries
Public Library, and several traditional fretwork houses along Brazil
Street and on some of the smaller streets to the back of Castries.
The Castries Central market (constructed between 1891 and 1894 and
recently renovated) and adjacent vendor’s market offer everything
from exotic local produce to sweet-smelling herbs and spices, creole
food, incense, jewellry, local craft and other souvenirs. The Castries
Heritage Walk, offered through the st Lucia National Trust, takes
you on an informal tour of the historic and contemporary attractions
of the capital. |
Castries Library, Government Buildings at the Waterfront, Castries
Cathedral
Duty Free Shopping Centers
st Lucia's duty free shopping centers La Place Carenage (located in town), and
Pointe Seraphine (located on the other side of the Castries Bay at the main cruise
terminal) offers a range of local and imported items.
Derek Walcott Center for the Arts
A variety of performances are held at the center throughout the year.
Department of Culture
Contact the St Lucia Department of Culture for information on show times and
venues for comedies, concerts, plays, dance and drama presented at The Great
House Theater, The Light House Theater and at The National Cultural Center.
Tickets are available at The Department of Culture and Sunshine Bookstore
at Gablewoods.
Pigeon Island
Once an island and pirate’s fort, Pigeon Island is now a historic park
with many ruins and old canons, joined by a causeway to the mainland. The interpretation
center documents the many battles between the French and British as well as
other chapters of st Lucia’s history. Pigeon Island hosts special events
such as weddings and the main stage event of the Annual st Lucia Jazz Festival.
The “Jambe de Bois” restaurant and café with its private
pier and adjacent beach are a great place to hang out during the day. The Pigeon
Island National Park is managed by the st Lucia National Trust. www.slunatrust.org/tours.htm
Rhythm of Rum
Take a fantastic journey through the history of rum on a detailed distillery
tour. Tel: 1 (758) 451 4258, Fax: 1 (758) 451 4221, tour@sludistillers.com
http://www.sludistillers.com/tour
The Folk Research Centre (FRC)
The Folk Research Centre (FRC), situated on historic Mount Pleasant
overlooking Castries, stores and catalogues a vast collection of data
and materials covering practically every aspect of Folk history in
st Lucia, including dance, music, musical instruments, folk tales
and the kweyol language. |
The La Toc Battery to the West
of Castries is one of the islands’ best-preserved stockades, and
the Morne Fortune Historic area overlooking Castries is riddled with
remains of French forts. The Government House, the official residence
of Dame Pearlette Louisy, st Lucia’s Governor General, can
be visited by prior appointment.
The st Lucia Sir
Arthur Lewis Community College on
the Morne offers 2 year degree programs in areas such as Agriculture, Tourism
and Hospitality, Business Management. It and also has a branch of the University
of the West Indies which offers distance learning. On the college grounds,
you will find the Inniskilling monument, which marks the bloodiest
battle ever fought in st Lucia, when Captain Moore repelled
the French revolutionary forces on 24 may 1796. |
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