CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons (Martin Lie)Landmark· St Thomas· Virgin Islands (BVI, USVI and Spanish Virgins)
Fort Christian & 99 Steps
18° 20.4′ N · 64° 55.8′ W
Fort Christian, built 1672-1680, is the oldest standing structure in the US Virgin Islands, its red walls the center of downtown, and now holds the St. Thomas Museum. Behind it the town climbs Government Hill on old Danish 'step streets', the most famous being the 99 Steps (actually 103) up to Blackbeard's Castle, the 1679 Danish watchtower Skytsborg.
Practical
Coordinates are Fort Christian's (Wikipedia). It is a National Historic Landmark and reopened in 2017 for the Transfer Day centennial after a decade of renovation (Wikipedia). The 99 Steps (Store Taarne Gade) start a few blocks north on Government Hill (Wikipedia); Blackbeard's Castle, a National Historic Landmark at the top of Government Hill, was a private residence and hotel and is no longer open to the public (Wikipedia). Emancipation Garden, the Legislature Building and Vendors' Plaza are beside the fort. Walk from the Coast Guard dinghy landing on the waterfront. Steep, hot climb: go early or late in the day and carry water.
Best for
A half-day history walk ashore in Charlotte Amalie
Nearby
- Emancipation Garden & Vendors' PlazaRight here
- Virgin Islands Carnival (St Thomas)Right here
- Charlotte Amalie Waterfront Dinghy Landing (Coast Guard Station)0.2 NM away
- Gladys' Cafe (Charlotte Amalie)0.2 NM away
- Charlotte Amalie Harbor Anchorage (Long Bay)0.3 NM away
- Hurricane Season (St Thomas)0.3 NM away
- Moe's Fresh Market (Waterfront, Charlotte Amalie)0.3 NM away
- St. Thomas Synagogue0.3 NM away