Blackbeard's Castle - Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, USVI - Pirates on Waymarking.com

Built in 1679 by the Danes as a watchtower to protect the harbor, Blackbeard's Castle was originally called Skytsborg Tower (meaning sky tower). It served as a very effective vantage point for Danish soldiers to spot enemy ships. Blackbeard's Castle is the best remaining example of 17th-century Danish colonial military architecture in the United States, and is the only unmodified 17th-century fortified tower in the Caribbean.

It is not known what year Skytsborg Tower took on the name of Blackbeard's Castle, but the infamous Edward Teach, commonly known as Blackbeard, did sail the Caribbean waters in the early 18th century. It has become part of the lore of the island that he used the tower as a lookout for his own purposes of piracy. It was the centerpiece of a private residence for many years, but now is surrounded by a small hotel, a pool, and a snack bar that is open when the grounds are open for tours. The restaurant closed in 2007.

Blackbeard's Castle can be reached by walking up the 99 Steps. You'll pass other historic sites such as the Haagensen House and Villa Notman. There is also a walking tour available for $22 that includes admission to the different sites along the way.

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Site Description: Statue of Blackbeard in front of the watchtower (now a lookout tower) Date of Pirate Activity (Estimated): early 18th century (1717 and 1718) Reference Web-link or Book Title: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackbeard%27s_Castle Site Admission (If needed): $10 Hours Available (If needed): January 2015 Tuesday and Wednesday from 9:00 to 14:00 Additional Information (optional): "A shrewd and calculating leader, Blackbeard spurned the use of force, relying instead on his fearsome image to elicit the response he desired from those he robbed. Contrary to the modern-day picture of the traditional tyrannical pirate, he commanded his vessels with the permission of their crews and there is no known account of his ever having harmed or murdered those he held captive. He was romanticised after his death and became the inspiration for a number of pirate-themed works of fiction across a range of genres." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackbeard

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Date Logged Log   09/25/2021 CP590 visited it