Christiansted, St. Croix USVI
Perhaps the crux of the St. Croix experience is visiting the historically rich, culturally magnificent town of Christiansted. As the capital of the Danish West Indies from 1755 to 1871, this town has cultivated quite a bit of historical relevance in the Caribbean. You simply cannot have experienced everything that St. Croix has to offer if you haven’t taken a trip to this buzzing town.
Not only is Christiansted historically relevant, it offers visitors the opportunity to dig deeper into the St. Croix’s rich cultural context. A big part of the island’s appeal is its cross between its important, rich history and its constant revitalization and development. While guests get to partake in some of the illustrious history of Christiansted, they also get to enjoy the sumptuous delicacies of the Caribbean in a modern setting. The combination of the two makes this town truly unique and inviting.
The unique Danish structures of Christiansted’s famous yellow buildings have remained a staple of the town and given guests quite a bit to discover as regards Christiansted’s history. The architectural significance of these buildings goes deep within the roots of this once capital of the Danish West Indies. Guests have the opportunity to explore these graceful relics --unmarred by the toils of commerce. As an added bonus, the buildings remain, for the most part, fully intact. As it is, visitors have the opportunity to visit some of the remaining distilleries and plantations that make up a vast part of the Caribbean back story.
Fort Christianvaern is certainly a part of that back story. Built in the late 1700s, this yellow structure is the best preserved of the five Danish forts that are dotted around the West Indies. Constructed for the purpose of keeping pirates away from the town, the fort has been spared a great deal of war activity. In fact, the cannons and the artillery that the fort keeps safe have been unused and remain perfectly intact. Used as a jail, and later a spot for religious ceremonies, Fort Christiansvaern is available for guest perusal throughout the week.
There’s also the Steeple Museum and the Old Danish Custom House. Both of these buildings serve as historical gold mines. The Steeple Museum is really St. Croix’s first Lutheran church. It also served as a military bakery, community hall, hospital and school. The Old Danish Custom House, as its namesake suggests, is where sailors would come to pay their duties to the West Indies government. You can’t go through St. Croix and take notice of all of Christiansted’s incredible history.
You’d be crazy not to partake in some of the amazing snorkelling to be had off the St. Croix coast. Christiansted is perfect for getting a closer look at the magnificent sea life that runs rampant throughout the US Virgin Islands. You also must take a trip deeper underwater and discover the sea dwellers that inhabit the deep sea. Scuba diving is as much a part of the cultural cloth of Christiansted as the old Danish buildings that mark its shores.