Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Government House
HISTORICAL BUILDING
(21-22 Kongens Gade; 9am-noon & 1-5pm Mon-Fri)
Ascend the hill behind the
church and you'll come to a grand white mansion, where the territorial governor has his of-
fices. With three stories and a hipped roof, it is one of St Thomas' most famous structures.
It was built between 1865 and 1867, and restored in 1994. You can walk around the first
floor, though there's not much to see.
Seven Arches Museum
MUSEUM
( 340-774-9295;
www.sevenarchesmuseum.com
; Kongens Gade; suggested dona-
tion$5; byappt)
This 18th-century artisan's home sits in a tiny alley off Kongens Gade
just to the east of Government House. The museum takes its name from the seven arches
that support the welcoming arms staircase. You can admire the antiques in the great room
and take in a view of the harbor before heading out back to the separate Danish kitchen,
cistern and walled garden. Call to set up a visit.
Blackbeard's Castle
HISTORICAL SITE
(
www.blackbeardscastle.com
;
admission$12; 9am-3pmwhencruiseshipsinport)
Blackbeard's Castle watches over town from atop Government Hill. In the 18th century
this five-story masonry watchtower was said to be the lookout post of pirate Edward Teach,
alias Blackbeard. Actually, historians don't lend much credence to the tale. What's known
for certain is that colonial Danes built the tower as a military installation in 1678. You can
climb up for good harbor views.
The admission fee includes use of the three pools on the grounds, photos with the myriad
pirate statues that dot the property, and entrance to
Villa Notman
,
Britannia House
and
HaagensenHouse
- three colonial homes furnished with West Indian antiques and/or jew-
elry shops. It also includes entry to the
World Caribbean Amber Museum
, guarded by
a hokey mechanical dinosaur; the
amber waterfall
, studded with 12,000 yellowy gems;
and a
rum factory
, where a guide explains the distilling process, though there isn't much
to see. The whole thing is kind of a hefty price without much payoff.
A better idea is to attack Government Hill from below and ascend the steep set of stairs -
the so-called
99Steps
- that lead from the commercial district near Kongens Gade up into
a canopy of trees. These steps, of which there are actually 103 (though you'll be too out of
breath to count), were constructed using ship-ballast brick in the mid-18th century. At the
top of the 99 Steps, and about halfway up to the watchtower, you'll see
HaagensenHouse
, which you can sometimes peek in for free. Explore the area in the cool of the morning,
before the crowds arrive.
