Bursting with historical and cultural significance, centuries of history await among Caribbean treasures inscribed on UNESCO’s prestigious list of world heritage sites. Shelly-Ann Inniss leads the way
Discover the World Heritage Sites of the Caribbean
This is the first in our series of travel features showcasing these special places.
Vinales Valley, Cuba
Year of inscription: 1999
Located in the Viñales National Park, the Viñales Valley is remarkable for its karst landscape and hummock – a series of high, dome-like hills rising up to 984 meters from the plains below. Communities here still use traditional, centuries-old farming methods, especially in tobacco cultivation. When you visit, you will see how well the villagers combine and preserve cultural elements from their multi-ethnic society through architecture, crafts and music. And if you’re in an adventurous mood, a bit of rock climbing on the limestone cliffs will enhance the already amazing views.
Historic Bridgetown and its garrison, Barbados
Year of inscription: 2011
St Ann’s Garrison is the earliest permanent British military base in the Caribbean. Situated on the outskirts of the capital Bridgetown, the early 17th century road and road network still connects the garrison, capital and port. The garrison has retained most of its physical attributes and is among the most intact British garrisons in the world. Be sure to visit the Main Guard House and Clock Tower, the Barbados Museum and Historical Society, Fort St. Anne and the military hospital, and the George Washington House – the former residence of the first president of the United States. Time permitting, a trip to the heart of Bridgetown to see Blackwood’s Screw Dock and the Nidhe Israel Synagogue and Museum are a must.
Antigua Shipyard and associated archaeological sites, Antigua and Barbuda
Year of inscription: 2016
The deep waters of English Harbour, together with the narrow bays and mountains, protected the Royal Navy against hurricanes and attacks in the 18th century. What better place for the king’s naval court? The Georgian-style naval buildings and structures of Nelson’s Dockyard (renamed after its restoration in 1950 in honor of Admiral Horatio Nelson) still have original features such as a small bakery dating from 1772, which contains three ovens that once they supplied the complex with fresh bread. Copper and lumber shop of 1789, now a hotel of the same name; Nelson’s living quarters (currently serving as a museum); and the iconic piers supporting the Boat House and Sail Loft are also attractions.
Willemstad Historic Area, Inner City & Harbour, Curaçao
Year of inscription: 1997
The distinctively colored buildings of Curaçao’s capital, Willemstad, bear signs of the country’s Dutch architectural heritage – but also of Spanish and Portuguese influences as a result of 17th-century trade. The colorful buildings became a local tradition as early as 1817, when the previous whitewash finish was banned, to protect the eyes from the glare of the sun. The main colors are now red, blue, yellow ocher and green. Another distinctive element commonly found in two of Willemstad’s historic districts (Otrobanda and Scharloo) is the Curaçao Baroque style of architecture, where a dominant feature is Dutch curved stone, as seen in the Penha Building (1708, pictured).
The historic inner city of Paramaribo, Suriname
Year of inscription: 2002
Located along the left bank of the Suriname River, the country’s capital’s historic inner city includes distinctive wooden buildings that combine Dutch architectural styles with Creole and North American influences. By the end of the 18th century, Dutch infrastructure allowed the city to expand over swampy land, but there are no tall buildings here. Instead, there are 291 listed monuments, with most also demonstrating the use of traditional techniques and materials in repair and rehabilitation works. See Fort Zeelandia (1667); The Presidential Palace (1730), built of stone and with a wooden upper floor; Ministry of Finance (1841), a monumental brick structure with classical portico and clock tower; and the Gothic Revival Roman Catholic Cathedral (1885, pictured), built of wood.
