| h St. Thomas is known as one of the best | | | | climbing the staircase, you will find the historic |
| shopping destinations in the Caribbean, the island is | | | | Government House – a building known for |
| also home to a wealth of historical intrigue. Within | | | | its collection of paintings by Camille Pissaro |
| a concentrated area of St. Thomas' capital city, | | | | – on your immediate left. However, if you |
| Charlotte Amalie, visitors will find everything from | | | | climb the 99 Steps, you will find yourself on the |
| ornate churches and government buildings to | | | | easiest route to Blackbeard's Castle, one of St. |
| colonial forts and mythical pirate outposts. If you | | | | Thomas' most popular sights. Blackbeard's Castle |
| want to experience St. Thomas' fascinating | | | | is actually a large watch tower that once belonged |
| history, there is no better way to see the sights | | | | to the Danish Fort Trygborg. As Blackbeard's |
| than a walk through Charlotte Amalie amongst | | | | Castle rests atop Government Hill, the structure |
| the beautiful Caribbean weather. | | | | provides an excellent view of the harbor. Though |
| The best place to start a walking tour of | | | | it is not known when the watch tower came to |
| Charlotte Amalie's historic sites is Fort Christian, a | | | | be known as Blackbeard's Castle, local legend has |
| Danish-built structure dating to the late 17th | | | | it that the famous pirate used the watch tower |
| century. Visible throughout Charlotte Amalie, this | | | | to patrol for rival ships. |
| vivid red-brick fort is in fact the oldest remaining | | | | The land surrounding Blackbeard's Castle is home |
| structure in the Virgin Islands. Having served as a | | | | to several town house museums, including Villa |
| government center and a church after the colonial | | | | Notman and The Haagensen House. In each case, |
| period, Fort Christian is now a National Historic | | | | these musuems house everything from antiques |
| Landmark and history museum. After visiting the | | | | to valuable Danish furniture. After leaving the area |
| museum, be sure to visit the roof of Fort | | | | of Blackbeard's Castle, return to the area of Post |
| Christian for an excellent panoramic view of the | | | | Office Square and Main Street. After turning right |
| harbor. | | | | onto Main Street, look on the right for a small |
| Directly across the street from Fort Christian, | | | | street called Nye Gade. |
| you will see the historic Legislature Building, a | | | | One block up from Main Street at the corner of |
| beautifully rebuilt colonial structure. After serving | | | | Crystal Gade and Nye Gade, you will find the |
| as barracks for Danish police and later for U.S. | | | | pictuesque St. Thomas Reformed Church. Known |
| Marines, the Legislature Building was completed | | | | as the island's finest example of classical revival |
| restored in 1956 and has served as home to local | | | | architecture, the St. Thomas Reformed Church |
| lawmakers since 1970. | | | | resembles a Roman temple, complete with large |
| From the courtyard of the Legislature Building, | | | | supporting columns. |
| turn left and follow the sidewalk to the first | | | | Turning left onto Crystal Gade, you will quickly |
| traffic light. At the traffic light, turn right and look | | | | come upon the St. Thomas Synagogue, the |
| for the Vendor's Plaza on your left. Above this | | | | second-oldest synagogue in the Western |
| outdoor market, you will find Emancipation Park, | | | | Hemisphere. Having served an incredibly significant |
| the site of many official ceremonies and the Virgin | | | | spiritual role during the colonial period, the St. |
| Islands' replica of the Liberty Bell. | | | | Thomas Synagogue is still used today under |
| Directly across the street from Emancipation Park | | | | Sephardic tradition. As a result, the St. Thomas |
| is the Grand Hotel, a 19th century structure that | | | | Synagogue features the traditional sand-covered |
| now houses a number of small shops and | | | | floor, a symbol of the Jewish flight from Egypt. |
| restaurants. After perusing the unique businesses | | | | Returning to Main Street along the same route, |
| inside the Grand Hotel, walk towards Fort | | | | you will be in the heart of St. Thomas' shopping |
| Christian and turn left up the first narrow road. | | | | district. Turning right at Main Street and following |
| At the top of the narrow path, you will come | | | | the road to the end of the shopping district, you |
| upon one of St. Thomas' most significant | | | | will come upon Market Square, a former slave |
| churches, the golden Lutheran Church. Known for | | | | market that now serves as an open-air produce |
| its large staircase and bright yellow color, the | | | | and craft market. |
| church is one of the most photographed buildings | | | | One block further up Main Street, you will find St. |
| in St. Thomas. Once the official church of the | | | | Thomas' primary Catholic church, Saints Peter and |
| Danish West Indies, the Lutheran Church is still | | | | Paul Cathedral. Constructed in 1806, the cathedral |
| used for services today. | | | | is known for its ornate murals painted by Belgian |
| Turning right after leaving the Lutheran Church, | | | | artists, Father Leo Servais and Brother |
| you will walk past Post Office Square and a trio | | | | Ildephonsus. |
| of statues. As you continue up Government Hill, | | | | While history probably won't be the first thing on |
| you will come upon a street known as Kongens | | | | your mind while in St. Thomas, the island features |
| Gade, site of the 99 Steps. Constructed in the | | | | a wealth of important sites within a very walkable |
| mid-18th century, these steps represent the | | | | area. After enjoying the beach and the relaxing |
| Danes' attempt at city planning near the hilly | | | | amenities of your resort, this simple walking tour |
| shores of St. Thomas. | | | | of Charlotte Amalie offers a great way to spend |
| If you choose to follow the street rather than | | | | a sunny afternoon. |