Landmarks in the Bahamas

The Bahamas was a territory of the United Kingdom during the American Revolution, which allowed British loyalists to flee the 13 colonies and settle in the Bahamas

Many of the landmarks and historic sites on the islands speak to this time period in the form of forts and architecture, paying homage to loyalists and their slaves whose decedents now populate the islands. Take a break from lying on the beaches and baking in the Bahamian sun to visit a few such sites and learn about this era in Bahamian history and beyond.

Museums

Assuming you enjoy expanding your knowledge of other places and cultures, you might want to visit a museum during your time in the Bahamas. Try clicking on the name of each museum for complete information.

A landmark worth visiting is Wyannie Malone Museum. It is Hopetown, in northwestern the Bahamas. Named after Hope Town's founder, this museum showcases the history of the area with photography and artifacts. They host events for the island's Heritage Day and track the genealogy of the Malone family.

Another landmark that often intrigues visitors is Pirates of Nassau. It is situated in downtown Nassau. Pirates play a major roll in the history of the Caribbean, and the Bahamas are no exception. Now, in the heart of downtown Nassau, board a replica pirate ship and be transported back to 1716, where you'll see how the life of a pirate transpired.

Bahamas Historical Society Museum: Exhibits at the museum feature collections of historic relics including a coat of arms, the islands' Declaration of Independence, stone slabs featuring petroglyphs, and scale models of historic ships.

The following table has some details concerning some available museums in the area.

Historical Sites

Do you like learning some of the historical roots of foreign countries? If so, you might enjoy visiting a few of these historical attractions during your time in the Bahamas.

A common landmark for vacationers is Cloisters. It is located within Paradise Island, the Bahamas. The Cloisters are the ruins of a French Monastery with a lot of history. Built in the 1300's, the ruins did not find their way to the Bahamas until the 1960's.

If you are looking to do more sight-seeing, visit Fort Montagu. It is located in Nassau, the Bahamas. As the oldest still standing fort on New Providence, Fort Montagu is rich in history. Its most famous event was when the fledgling US Navy captured the fort in 1776, took its cannons and brought them to then General Washington's army.

Queen's Staircase: The Queen's Staircase is open to the public always, but it is recommended that tourists only visit this spot during daylight hours.

Take a look at the following table to find out more about historic sites in the area.

Miscellaneous Landmarks

Travelers can explore some other worthwhile sites worth visiting in the Bahamas.

Many travelers choose to visit Sacred Spaces: Women & Welcome. It is located within the Bahamas. Sacred Spaces is unique in that sculptor Antonius Roberts did not transport these awe-inspiring sculptures to the space and set up an exhibit. Instead, with a reverence for the Bahamian landscape and the history of the island, he carved the sculptures of stoic slave women out of Casuarina trees that were eroding the island's shoreline.

Many travelers also choose to visit Grand Bahama Labyrinth. It is situated at Garden of the Groves and Garden of the Groves, in western the Bahamas. The Grand Bahama Labyrinth has been built to recreate the sacred path of the original Christian labyrinth in Notre Dame de Chartes, France. A walk through the original path was one way to fill an early requirement of a pilgrimage to the Holy City of Jerusalem.

Memorial Sculpture Garden: Learn all about important Bahamians by visiting the Memorial Sculpture Garden on Green Turtle Cay, where busts and placards detail their histories.

The chart just below provides you with more details on other kinds of sites of interest to travelers.

If you would prefer having a wider range of attractions beyond what's offered in this category, you might want to expand your planning horizon. You can read this page dedicated to even more attractions if you'd like to discover some more facts.

Unique Architecture

Located in Nassau (near Fort Fincastle) is a unique landmark called Queen's Staircase. This structure is a staircase of 65 limestone steps dedicated with Queen Victoria. It was built in the late 1700s by slaves who were forced to shape the steps without the proper tools to do so.

In the Versailles Garden on Paradise Island is the Cloisters. Once a 14th century monastery in France, it was imported piece-by-piece to the islands in the 1920s and made its home at the garden in the 1960s.

Located inside another garden in the Bahamas is the Grand Bahama Labyrinth. The Labyrinth was designed after the Christian Chartres Labyrinth, and stands with the purpose of providing a location for visitors to find their spiritual center, meditate, and focus on the power within themselves.

The cu de gra of sites that honor the memory of the British loyalists and slave workers who helped free the Bahamas from Spain and build up the island is the Memorial Sculpture Garden. Located on Green Turtle Cay, the garden features sculpted busts and full-sized statues of memorable figures of this time period.

Both beautiful and awe inspiring, each landmark in the Bahamas is a piece of history that guests can revisit time and time again. Whether you find architecture fascinating, or enjoy standing on the same grounds that those who sacrificed to make the Bahamas the country it is today, a visit to these sites is a memory that will stay with you forever.