| Founded
in 1612, the Town of St. George (or St. George’s – both
are correct) is thought to be the oldest continually
inhabited town of English origin in the New World.
Designated a World Heritage Site by the United
Nation’s Education, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO), it is a living museum
and arguably Bermuda’s finest visitor attraction.
To
see all there is to see in St. George’s
you really need a day and a pair of good walking
shoes – the cobblestones require a bit
of padding. A great place to begin your exploration
is King’s Square in the heart of the old
town. Have your picture taken in the stocks or
witness a re-enactment of old world punishment
at the ducking stool. From here you can easily
walk to most museums, historic churches and graveyards,
parks, and one-of-a-kind shops. You’ll
also want to wander through the residential area
just north of York Street for a close-up look
at classic Bermudian architecture. Fort St. Catherine
is a little farther afield but a short taxi ride
will get you there and back in comfort.
Our
must-see list includes:
Town Hall: this historic building has
served as a public meeting place since the early
1800’s.
State
House: built in 1620 there is plenty of
history here. Bermuda’s Parliament met
here for nearly two centuries before moving
to Hamilton.
Ordnance
Island: look for the statue of Sir George
Somers. It was Somers who captained the Sea
Venture when it shipwrecked in Bermuda leading
to the island's colonization.
St.
Peter’s Church: the oldest continuously
used Anglican church in the western hemisphere.
The cedar and silver are amazing.
Old
Rectory: the oldest residence in St. George’s
is open to the public on Wednesdays from November
to March.
Fort
St. Catherine: part of Bermuda’s
significant network of fortifications, the
fort with its historic dioramas, restored magazine,
weapons and replicas of the Crown Jewels is
well worth the short trip from the heart of
town.
The
unfinished church: started in the 1870’s,
the unfinished church is not all that old but
it is beautiful and intriguing nonetheless.
Both
bus and ferry service run from Hamilton to St.
George’s with buses running well into the
evening. From May through September, Tuesday
night is Market Night in the old town. The streets
come alive with vendors, music, and historic
re-enactments. Shops are also open late on these
evenings.
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