Basseterre is the capital and largest city of Saint Kitts and Nevis and one of the oldest towns in the Eastern Caribbean.
The city was made capital of the entire island of St. Kitts in 1727, following French expulsion from the island and full British control. Basseterre has two centres, the Circus, which is geared towards tourism, and the Independence Square, which contains the cathedral, courthouse, and most of the older buildings.
The city of Basseterre has one of the most tragic histories of any Caribbean capital, destroyed many times by colonial wars, fire, earthquakes, floods, riots, and hurricanes. Despite all of this, a considerable number of well-restored buildings still exist in downtown Basseterre.
Most of the city structures were built after the great fire of 1867. The Circus was modelled after Piccadilly Circus, and the memorial in the form of a clock and drinking fountain in its centre was built in 1883, and dedicated to The Honourable Thomas Berkeley Hardtman Berkeley, the father of Henry Spencer Berkeley.
Landmarks and points of interest
Independence Square (formerly Pall Mall Square)
The Circus
St. George's Anglican Church
Basseterre Co-Cathedral of Immaculate Conception
The Cenotaph
St. Kitts Heritage Society
National Museum of Saint Kitts
Amina Craft Market
Public Market
St. Kitts Sugar Factory Museum (under construction using the grounds of the sugar factory which ceased production in 2005)
Warner Park Sporting Complex
Pelican Shopping Mall
Queen Victoria Statue Roundabout
Basseterre National Park (under construction)
Fort Thomas
Springfield Cemetery and Chapel
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