Fort Charles

Nestled at the edge of the historic town of Port Royal, Fort Charles stands as Jamaica’s oldest surviving fort and a silent sentinel to the island’s swashbuckling past. Constructed in 1655 by the English shortly after their conquest of Jamaica from the Spanish, the fort was originally named Fort Cromwell but later renamed in honor of King Charles II.

History

During the 17th century, when Port Royal flourished as the "richest and wickedest city in the world," Fort Charles played a crucial defensive role. This was the golden age of privateering, and the fort helped protect the bustling harbor filled with merchant ships, treasures from the New World, and the infamous pirates and privateers who called Port Royal home, among them the legendary Captain Henry Morgan.

With its strategic location at the entrance of Kingston Harbour, the fort was central to guarding Jamaica’s most prosperous trading port from foreign invasion and pirate attacks.

Despite surviving the catastrophic earthquake of 1692 that submerged much of Port Royal, Fort Charles remained intact and was continuously used and upgraded through the 19th century, including during the Napoleonic Wars.

Fort Charles

Today, Fort Charles is a popular heritage site and a must-visit destination for history enthusiasts and cultural travelers. Visitors can walk through its well-preserved bastions and barracks, explore the small museum that details the fort’s past, and stand on the famous "Giddy House", a tilted ammunition store that shifted during the 1907 earthquake, offering a quirky and memorable photo opportunity.

With stunning views of Kingston Harbour and guided tours that bring its vibrant past to life, Fort Charles offers a fascinating glimpse into Jamaica’s colonial and maritime history.