Queen's Staircase, Nassau (must see)

The Queen's Staircase is known as the 66 steps and is one of Nassau's most visited attractions. The staircase was cut from limestone and completed in 1794. The staircase provides a direct route to Fort Fincastle on Bennet's Hill.

When the staircase and fort were built, The Bahamas feared invasions by other European nations who wanted to control the Caribbean. As a result, the British built several forts to defend the country against European attackers and pirates. These forts include Fort Fincastle, Fort Montagu, and Fort Charlotte. Fort Fincastle is the highest of the three forts, and residents wanted a direct access route to and from the fort in case of an attack.

Six hundred slaves worked for over 16 years to complete the staircase. The enslaved people used hand tools to cut through solid limestone.

In the 1800s, the staircase was renamed after Queen Victoria, who ruled Britain from 1837 to 1901.

The Queen's Staircase has a beautiful water feature that cascades next to the staircase to a pool at the bottom of the stairs. The staircase is surrounded by a peaceful garden area with high stone walls and lush foliage.

Today, the staircase is still used to access Fort Fincastle. The garden setting makes it a wonderful place to visit during the day or night. Residents and visitors can enjoy the peaceful grotto in the middle of bustling Nassau.