Antigua sightseeing. Travel guide - attractions, sights, nature and touristic places

Antigua is a group of islands that were named after Antigua De Santa Maria Church that is located in Seville. The islands were named this way by Christopher Columbus who discovered the archipelago in 1493 during one of his adventures to the lands of New World.

The capital of Antigua, St. John’s, is considered the cultural center of the islands. All main historical landmarks and places of interest are located in Radcliffe Quay district. In this part of the city old wooden houses border with grandiose stone buildings, many of which have been turned into museums and exhibition halls. St. John’s Cathedral is one of the most unusual buildings in Antigua. This is a unique cathedral made of wood and stone. For more than three centuries the easily recognizable towers of the cathedral have been considered the symbol of the country. There are also some colonial period buildings that are worth attention, for example, the building of the court, which dates back to the beginning of the 18th century. Nowadays, the building holds the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda that exhibits a rich collection of ethnographic and historic artifacts.

Don’t forget to visit a small town named English Harbor during your stay in Antigua. The town is located in the western part of the country. During the Napoleon era the town was used as a large military base, and the UK’s sea fleet was based there. However, the National Park is the main attraction of English Harbor. The park is famous not only for beautiful landscapes, but also for several historic buildings such as Clarence House – a wonderful example of architecture of the 18th century. Several protective facilities and Berkley fort have also managed to survive till our days. Do not forget to visit St. Paul Church and Antigua Church that are considered the most elegant religious buildings of the islands. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Codrington remains the most popular resort of Barbuda Island. This is a picturesque old city with numerous landmarks and places of interest. The Parliament House, which was built in 1694, is considered the symbol of the city. During its long history the building was used for many different purposes. One of the hills nearby is the location of another famous building, Codrington House, which dates back to the beginning of the 18th century. It was a slave-holding mansion in the past; the building was later destroyed partially, so only a small part of facilities has survived till our days. Tourists visit the hill for one more purpose – one of the biggest observation spots in the country is located near the house, so people come there to enjoy a truly breathtaking view.

Barbuda has one more peculiarity – absolutely stunning caves that can be found in any part of the island. Do not fail to visit Indian Cave with its crystal clean inner lakes.

History and Entertainment

At the dawn of our era, the archipelago was inhabited by the tribes of the Arawaks. The main mean of their subsistence was the farming. In the 13th century, they were captured by the belligerent Caribbean tribes. The European discoverer of the archipelago was Christopher Columbus who visited the islands in 1493. The Spaniards could not form stable settlements because of the Caribs who constantly raided them. In the first half of the 17th century, the islands with fertile soil attracted an attention of Great Britain. In 1632, Britons formed the first settlements here.

The vast territory was used to grow tobacco, cotton, coconut and sugar cane. Slaves transferred from African countries worked on the plantations of Britons. After the abolition of slavery in 1834, it was impossible to serve vast plantations, so colonizers started leaving the archipelago. Nevertheless, Antigua and Barbuda were under the British protectorate for several decades. In 1967, the island state gained a right of the partial self-government. It became completely independent in 1981.

One of the main advantages of the country is the fact that travelers can vacation here at any time of the year. The weather in the islands is suitable for beach recreation. This place is also notable for incredibly beautiful coral reefs that attract divers from all over the world.

In the islands, there are perfect conditions for doing sport. Antigua attracts golf fans. There is also an excellent yacht club. The Dickenson Bay is very popular with windsurfers. For many years, it has been a place where international competitions are regularly held.

The tiny island state lives an eventful cultural life. Annually, the interesting folk festival called Caribana is held here. At the festival, there are performances of the best music and dance groups. The fest guests can also take part in interesting food entertainments. In October, the traditional Jazz Festival, in which musicians from different countries take part, is held. Fans of noisy and fiery entertainments should visit Antigua in August. At this time of the year, the traditional August Carnival is organized.