Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
batik dresses, souvenir T-shirts and Prada knock-offs under blue-canopied stalls. Travelers
will find this park a convenient rallying point and the easiest place to catch a cab. Vitran
buses and safaris stop close by on Waterfront Hwy.
Fort Christian
HISTORICAL SITE
(Waterfront Hwy; admission by donation; 8:30am-4:30pm Mon-Fri)
Built with
blood-red brick, Fort Christian, east of Emancipation Garden, is the oldest colonial building
in the Virgin Islands. The core of the fort dates from 1666. Most of the ramparts were added
in the 18th century. The clock tower came during an 1870s renovation of the fort to cel-
ebrate the colonial government returning to St Thomas. Over the years, the fort has func-
tioned as a bastion, jail, governor's residence and a Lutheran church.
At press time, the fort and its artifact-rich museum were closed and undergoing renova-
tions. The reopening date for the multi-year project had not been determined.
Kings Wharf & Legislature Building
HISTORICAL
BUILDING
(WaterfrontHwy)
This government compound, across from Fort Christian, is the original
ship landing for the Danish colony. Today, the US Coast Guard shares the ground with the
territorial legislature. The USVI governing body meets in the pale-green neoclassical build-
ing that dates from 1874.
Once a barracks for Danish and, subsequently, US troops, this building is where the
Danes officially turned over the islands to the US. Island politicians have assembled here
since the 1950s.
Frederik Lutheran Church
CHURCH
(Norre Gade)
One of Charlotte Amalie's architectural gems rises a few blocks behind
the fort. Frederik Lutheran Church was mostly built between 1789 and 1793. The original
structure was Georgian, but after two major reconstructions in the 19th century, the church
now has Gothic Revival elements, including a gable roof and tower. The entrance has a
West Indian 'welcoming arms' staircase (a reference to the way the staircase flares at the
base). During the 19th century, the church had segregated congregations - one West Indian,
the other Danish. The church is open sporadically during the week for a look-see. Services,
which are open to the public, take place on Sunday at 9am and Wednesday at 12:15pm.
