Bridgetown.

A historical treasure Bridgetown recently celebrated its 350th anniversary. It possesses a statue of Lord Horatio Nelson, the English naval hero. This statue was erected in 1813, 27 years before the English created their monument in London. The oldest synagogue in the western hemisphere and the third oldest parliament in the British Commonwealth are amongst other attractions worth seeing.

Parliament Buildings.

Built in 1951 in a neo-gothic architectural style, after the fire of 1860, the original clock tower was demolished in 1884 and was subsequently rebuilt two years later in the west wing. The west wing houses public offices and the clock tower. The east wing on the right houses the Senate and the House of Assembly additionally it has stained glass windows depict British monarchs, including Oliver Cromwell.

National Heroes Square.

Previously named Trafalgar Square up until April 1999, National Heroes Square is now a tribute to the heroes of Barbadian society.

A Bronze statue of Lord Horatio Nelson was erected there on 22 Mar 1813. 27 years before Nelson’s column in London’s Trafalgar Square was erected. The Fountain in Trafalgar Square was erected to celebrate the start of piped water in Bridgetown.

Tyrol Cot.

Tyrol Cot was the home of Sir Grantley Adams, the first premier of Barbados and the only Prime Minister of the Federation of the West Indies. The home is also the birthplace of his son, Tom, the second Prime Minister of Barbados. The house alone was built in 1854 and is an architectural gem; it has an interesting fusion of Palladian and tropical architecture. The house has been restored by the Barbados National Trust and is filled with the Adams' antique furniture and memorabilia. This living museum, consist of a number of attractive Chattel Houses; each one exhibits the works of established craftsmen and artists. There you can purchase pottery, leather goods, ceramics, clothing, artwork and local confectionery. The 'Rum Shop' serves fish cakes, sandwiches, and the world famous Cockspur Rum. Here at Tyrol Cot you will also find the Stables Restaurant.

Broad Street

A street once called by a variety of names including Exchange Street, Cheapside, and New England Street. One of its most outstanding buildings is the Mutual Building constructed between 1894 and 1895, a large green building with silver domes on the western periphery of Broad Street. Higher up on Broad Street (east) is DaCosta’s Colonnade which has a well preserved pink and white architectural design. DaCosta’s Colonnade is now the home of DaCosta’s Mall, one of Bridgetown’s more popular shopping malls.

Mutual Building Broad Street Bridgetown

Queens Park.

This was the residence of the General commanding the British Troops in the West Indies.

Prior to the succession of Queen Victoria it was known as “King’s House”. On the withdrawal of the British Regiment from this island during the early years of this century, it was taken over by Government and the control was vested in the then Vestry of St. Michael, and turned into a park. It was opened on the 10th June 1909. It now falls under the National Conservation Commission. In the grounds of the Park there is one of the largest trees, if not the largest in Barbados. This is a “Baobab” and is 611/2 feet - approximately 18m in circumference, and is estimated to be over one thousand years old. The “Baobab” is a native tree of Africa; no one knows how it ever got to Barbados.

Bridgetown Synagogue

Bridgetownm Synagogue. Bridgetown is the home of the oldest synagogue in the Western Hemisphere, dating from 1654, though the current structure was erected in 1833 replacing one ruined by the hurricane of 1831. Tombstones in the neighboring cemetery date from the 1630s. Now under the care of the Barbados National Trust the site was deserted in 1929, but was subsequently saved and restored by the Jewish community in 1983.

Garrison Historic Area.

Garrison historic area comprising of Barbados Museum, George Washington House, the National Cannon Collection, St. Ann’s Fort and the Military cemetery. St. Ann’s fort has recently been converter into an interesting museum which host tours daily.

Barbados is the only country outside of the United States which George Washington visited and the house where he occupied is undergoing extensive renovations and is due to open in 2007. Visits made by appointment call (246) 228-5461.