Blackbeard's Castle is one of five
National Historic Landmarks
A National Historic Landmark (NHL) is a National Register of Historic Places property types, building, district, object, site, or structure that is officially recognized by the Federal government of the United States, United States government f ...
in the
U.S. Virgin Islands
The United States Virgin Islands, officially the Virgin Islands of the United States, are a group of Caribbean islands and a territory of the United States. The islands are geographically part of the Virgin Islands archipelago and are located ...
. It is located in the city of
Charlotte Amalie, on the island of
St. Thomas. Erected in 1679 by the
Danes
Danes (, ), or Danish people, are an ethnic group and nationality native to Denmark and a modern nation identified with the country of Denmark. This connection may be ancestral, legal, historical, or cultural.
History
Early history
Denmark ...
as a watchtower to protect the harbor as well as
Fort Christian
Fort Christian is a Dano-Norwegian-built fort in Charlotte Amalie, Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Built 1672-1680, early in the first successful colonial establishment on the island, the fort served as a critical point of defense and govern ...
, Blackbeard's Castle was originally called Skytsborg (meaning protection castle). It is located at the highest point of Government Hill. Skytsborg served as a very effective vantage point for Danish soldiers to spot enemy ships. Fort Christian is at sea level, thus making it ideal for thwarting attackers with cannon fire; however, the fort itself did not provide an ideal view of incoming ships entering the harbor.
It was the centerpiece of a private residence for many years, and was turned into a hotel, but is no longer open to the public.
Connection to Blackbeard
It is not known when Skytsborg took on the name of Blackbeard's Castle, but the infamous
Edward Teach
Edward Teach (or Thatch; – 22 November 1718), better known as Blackbeard, was an English pirate who operated around the West Indies and the eastern coast of Britain's North American colonies. Little is known about his early life, but he ma ...
, commonly known as Blackbeard, did sail the Caribbean waters in the early 18th century. It has become part of the lore of the island that he used the tower as a lookout for his own purposes of
piracy
Piracy is an act of robbery or criminal violence by ship or boat-borne attackers upon another ship or a coastal area, typically with the goal of stealing cargo and valuable goods, or taking hostages. Those who conduct acts of piracy are call ...
.
File:ThreeQueensSTT.jpg, The Three Queens Fountain at Blackbeard's honors the 1878 Fireburn rebellion organizers: Queens Mary
Mary may refer to:
People
* Mary (name), a female given name (includes a list of people with the name)
Religion
* New Testament people named Mary, overview article linking to many of those below
* Mary, mother of Jesus, also called the Blesse ...
, Agnes, and Mathilda
See also
*
*
References
External links
* Official website
National Historic Landmark Program
{{NRHP in Saint Thomas, United States Virgin Islands
National Register of Historic Places in the United States Virgin Islands
National Historic Landmarks in the United States Virgin Islands
Buildings and structures completed in 1679
Buildings and structures on the National Register of Historic Places in the United States Virgin Islands
Charlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin Islands
1679 establishments in North America
Watchtowers
Buildings and structures in the United States Virgin Islands
Blackbeard