St
George's is Grenada's picturesque Capital city
It is wrapped around the perimeter
of the island's finest natural harbor, is perhaps the most appealing
capital city in the entire Caribbean. Founded in the early 18th century
by the French, St. George's still possesses something of the character
of a French town, particularly in the red tile roofs and pastel colors
of its traditional architecture. St. George's contains a number of
sites worth exploring such as ...
Carenage
St. George's ideally-formed inner harbour is--as it
has been for the last three centuries--the centre of marine activity
on the island. The Carenage serves as an anchorage for every sort
of vessel imaginable, from small fishing boats and elegant yachts
to great white cruise ships. A walk along the encircling Wharf Road
allows a lovely view of the harbor and its bounty of colorful ships.
St. George's Roman Catholic Cathedral
The Gothic tower of St. George's, though
modest enough, is the most visible landmark in the city. Built in 1818,
the tower lends Grenada's capital a distinctively European character.
House of Parliament
Across Church Street from the cathedral are two of
St. George's most venerable buildings. York House, purchased in 1801,
houses the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the Supreme
Court. Along with the neighboring Registry, which was built in 1780,
York house is a graceful example of early Georgian architecture.
Market
Square
Bustling, noisy, and colorful, the market is the center of the capital's civic life, as it has been for the last two
hundred years. It is the main site for the purchase and sale of local
produce, as well as the focal point for parades, political speeches,
and religious activities. More recently, it has become the starting
point for minibuses to the outer areas of the island. No visitor
to Grenada should miss the Saturday morning market.
The Esplanade
Just down Granby Street from Market Square is the
Esplanade, which looks out to the west across the Caribbean. A fine locale
for an evening promenade.
Grenada National Museum
Although the National Museum is not large, it houses
a fascinating collection of artifacts from Grenada's cultural history.
Its collection extends from ancient times to the present, including
material and exhibits on everything from the Carib to the political
events of the 1980s.
Sendall Tunnel
This 340-foot tunnel, still the most convenient connection
from the Carenage to the Esplanade, was rightly considered a technological
triumph when completed the early 18th century. It is named for the
island's governor at the time.
Fort
George
Fort George is situated on an elevated peninsula
that commands the harbor entrance, a position that has given the fort
enormous strategic importance since the French constructed it in the
first decade of the 18th century. Although it continues to serve as the
police headquarters, Fort George is most appreciated today for the views
that it offers to sightseers. Much of its elaborate colonial structure
remains intact, and part of the pleasure of a visit is rambling around
among the passages and stairs of the ancient stone fortifications. Fort
George still maintains a battery of old cannons, which are used on special
occasions to fire off a resounding salute.
In the 1980s, Fort George once again played
a prominent role in Grenadian history as the site of the assassination
of Maurice Bishop, along with several members of his cabinet. In 1983,
the fort was bombed by American troops.
Fort Frederick
Perched atop Richmond Hill at the center of St. George's,
Fort Frederick is a smaller and more recent complement to the imposing
Fort George. Built by the British, it was completed in 1791, during the
French Revolution.
All of the above may be done easily in a walk around ... remember we are only 133 square miles big!!
Edited by Citizen Eve - 25 May 2008 at 4:39pm
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hikers and trekkers should not fore go the opportunity to take these
two more substantial hikes, which link to the Mt. Qua Qua Trail in
Grand Etang. The Concord Falls trail branches off from the Mt. Qua
Qua Trail after about an hour, leading down through rain forest canopy,
over hilltops and gurgling brooks, to bring you to the triple cascades
of the Concord Falls. The lowest of the three is a very popular swimming
area, camping spot, and tourist attraction, with modern facilities
surrounding its generous swimming area. The upper falls, about twenty
minutes' hike up the river, are definitely worth the short walk, as
they are much less visited and even more beautiful. The 40 ft/12 m
cascade plunges down through the thick vegetation to an inviting pool
that offers a much more tranquil swim than you will find at the lower
falls. The third and uppermost of the three cascades of Concord Falls
lies considerably higher up the mountain and requires about two hours
further hiking.
ARUBA 
The
450-acre Levera National Park holds a strong reputation as Grenada's
most scenic and spectacular coastal area. Its picture-perfect beach is
quite popular on weekends, and its lagoon is one of the most important
wildlife habitats on the island. Consisting of an extensive mangrove
swamp, the lagoon is a haven for an abundance of bird species, including
many herons, black-necked stilts, common snipes, and other waterfowl.
Levera's marine areas are equally esteemed, with outstanding coral reefs
and sea grass beds that shelter lobsters and beautiful reef fishes. The
beaches are also a hatchery for sea turtles, which are protected from
May to September. Among the pleasant walks at Levera is a trail that
circles the lagoon.
