Fort Christian, Charlotte Amalie (must see)

Fort Christian stands as a testament to the historical richness of the region. Built between 1672 and 1680, during the early stages of the first successful colonial establishment on the island, this Dano-Norwegian fortress played a pivotal role in defense and governance throughout the entire period of Dano-Norwegian and later Danish administration. Its significant historical role continued until 1917 when the United States acquired the islands.

Originally constructed to safeguard the interests of the Dano-Norwegian and Danish authorities, Fort Christian has weathered the test of time and now serves a different purpose as it houses the Saint Thomas Museum. The museum showcases artifacts and art from the Dano-Norwegian period, offering visitors a glimpse into the rich history and cultural heritage of the region.

In recognition of its historical and cultural importance, Fort Christian was designated a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 1977. The fort was initially part of the Charlotte Amalie National Historic Site, also known as Saint Thomas National Historic Site, before being transferred to the Virgin Islands in 1975.

The basic structure of Fort Christian comprised stone curtain walls and diamond-shaped stone bastions at the corners, with ravelins enhancing the north, east, and west sides in the past. A circular stone tower once stood proudly in the center of the fort, but it was dismantled in the 19th century, making way for the current Gothic Revival structure.