Culture of Grenadines. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

The island was settled no less than 5,5 thousand years ago. The Ciboney Indians were the first ones who came here from the north part of South America. Even though there is almost no material evidence of their life here survived until today, it’s a fact that they had been the sole rulers of the island for many years. Perhaps, a reason for it was their low cultural awareness or natural disasters which used to appear on Saint Vincent pretty often. In the 3rd century AD, the Ciboney were pushed back by the Arawak people who came here after. And then, in the 14th century, the Arawak had to share the land with Caribs martial tribes. The island was open for Europe during the times of Christopher Columbus’ legendary voyage. It was discovered on 22 January which was the feast day of the patron saint of Lisbon and Valencia, Vincent of Saragossa. That’s how the island got its name.

Frenchmen had been formally owing the island until the 17th century. However, they didn’t settle here and the had never built anything, too, as they were unable to confront furious Caribs opposition. Meanwhile, the Indians weren’t peaceful. They were afraid that the Garifuna – black Caribs – would seize the territory, so they just let Frenchmen to settle here at the beginning of the 18th century. According to the Treaty of Versailles, the land was passed to the control of England. British were establishing plantations and mostly they were growing sugarcane here until slavery was abolished. Not many buildings of 18th and 19th centuries survived several riots, volcanic eruptions, and destructive hurricanes. Nevertheless, some of them preserved to our days in good condition.

One more extremely peculiar artifact from the past days is a stone in Buccament Valley. You can still see some fragments in Celtic. According to scientists, they were written on the stone in the year 800 BC. Nobody knows for sure whether Celts came to Saint Vincent themselves or it’s just the stone was brought here later by someone else. What is more, you can see petroglyphs nearby made by Indian tribes a few millenniums ago. You can see pictures of Shiva and Parvati there as well. Even though they are not as old as the previously mentioned ones, they stand out for their inner power which is typical for all the Hindu art. Unfortunately, the artist remains unidentified. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

There is a great number of American Indians’ petroglyphs not far from Layou. For instance, there is a depiction Yúcahu – Indian God – on a separate white stone. It’s believed that he was the one who share with Indians the secret how to grow cassava.

So, if you’d like to see monuments devoted to the European civilization, then you definitely should come to Fort Duvernette. The island’s got its name thanks to the dilapidated fort there which was built by Frenchmen in the 18th century as protection from sea attacks. You can see not only strong walls, destroyed barracks, pantries, and armory but absolutely real cannons which were left to rust here, too.

There is an English fortification of the 19th century on the island as well. We mean Fort Charlotte that is located 180m above Berkshire Hill. The fortress – built in1806 – was named after King George III’s wife. Nearly 600 of people were living there and more than 30 guns were kept in the best of times. Today, you can enjoy a marvelous view of the island and archipelago from there. You could also find a museum dedicated to «black Caribs» there. There are various clothes, guns, home stuff, jewellery, and life items in the museum.

If you want to immerse yourself into the traditional architecture of the 18th century British colonies, go to Kingstown – the capital of both the island and the state. The main square, the building of the Governor-General, harbor – all of these hasn’t changed since it was originally built. There are magnificent iconic constructions in the capital too. For example, St. Mary’s Catholic Cathedral of 1820 which is famous for the combination of Romanesque arch and columns, Gothic spires and flowers ornament. The Cathedral was restored in 1930 after a devastating hurricane. Moreover, it is built from blocks of solid lava. The English Cathedral of St. George, built in the 19th century, can boast of its gorgeous window called «Red Angel». Originally it was planned to place it in St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, and yet, it was sent to Kingstown as a gift, as the Queen considered angels to wear only white clothes. In addition, windows of the Kingstown’s Methodist Church are highly beautiful as well.