Touch The Sky on Brimstone Hill

If you ever visit St. Kitts, it's an official requirement to visit Brimstone Hill Fortress. Not only is it the island's most recognizable landmark, it's also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the best place to grab heavenly views.

Constructed between 1690 and 1790, the fortress rises almost 800 feet in the air. Which means you must climb the stone path up to monument, way up on Brimstone Hill. Sturdy shoes are suggested.


The climb is well worth it because beyond the cannons, bastions and citadel, a striking panorama of  an impossibly green landscape unfolds. It really looks like you could reach up on your tippy toes and touch a cloud or two.


Most of the fortress is  built with volcanic rock. I felt like I heard echoes of the centuries of history stored in those rocks. After decades of being passed between British and French colonialists, the flag of independent St. Kitts finally flies from Brimstone Hill Fortress.

The fortress is the one of the best preserved historical fortifications in all of the Americas. I spent hours exploring the officers quarters, magazine bastions and barracks. High up in the hills, it's easy to be transported into another time and place.



Comments

Lewis Barlow said…
Great article and amazing pics. I have to visit it sometimes.
Beautyisdiverse said…
The greenery is amazing.
Fly Girl said…
Lewis, thanks! You would love it!

Tiffany, the pix don't even do it justice.
eden said…
Wow, this is such a lovely place to visit. I love the lush greenery around too. Lovely photos.
Fly Girl said…
Eden, thanks. It really is a memorable place.
Catherine said…
the scenery does indeed look heavenly to gaze upon - so lush and misty - interesting article about the fort too...Greetings from Mexico
Fly Girl said…
Catherine, it's even more magical in person.
Definitely looks like it's worth the climb! :)
Fantastic views! For a split second I thought I was back in Havana. That fortress looks like one of the castles that dot the bay in Havana. :-)

Greetings from London.
Fly Girl said…
Rachel, my legs might argue on that point a little but I agree!

Cubano, how interesting. I've seen a lot of forts throughout the Caribbean but none of them have resembled each other to me. Castles dotting the Havana Bay sound lovely.Still another reason to visit Havana!
Jean-Luc Picard said…
I didn't know there was a world heritage site in St Kitts. It looks beautiful.
What a interesting and engaging place on so many levels! Forts, by their very nature, must always have a "good view", but the fort itself with all its volcanic rock is fairly spectacular as well!
Fly Girl said…
Jean-Luc, you wouldn't expect that on such a tiny island but it was the first country to be established in the Eastern Caribbean so there are quite a few old landmarks.

Heather,you wouldn't expect it but St. Kitts really is more than just a pretty little island.
Anonymous said…
Brimstone Hill is a must see while in St. Kitts! The views are breathtaking and so much history.

The entrance fee of $8.00 USD is well worth it!
MinnieRunner said…
Wow! Will I be able to climb it? :)
Wendy said…
Love the lush green and mist in the photographs.
Fly Girl said…
Minnie, you would be able to climb it with no problem. I just recommend lots of water!

Wendy, the mist among the treetops was amazing in person.
John said…
Nice post with excellent pictures. The pictures alone would make me want to go there, because they show how much character the place has!

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