Although it is the most urban of the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Thomas still has a number of historic buildings and sights that will take you back in time. You'll marvel at the Danish architecture found in Charlotte Amalie - well-preserved old warehouses, public buildings, military structures and churches. The island also has its share of modern-day attractions, including a sleek tramway that offers riders breathtaking views of the harbor and town. In the countryside, you can stop at various lookout points and gaze upon tropical isles and sapphire seas.
Sights in Charlotte Amalie
Dozens of pretty pastel buildings line Charlotte Amalie's crowded Main Street. The nearby waterfront is dramatically framed by three sloping hills on one side and the lovely harbor on the other. The harbor, a haven for ships since the 1600s, is flanked by 19th-century warehouses built on the sites of earlier buildings where the treasurers of marauding pirates were stashed centuries ago. Today, the equally renowned duty-free shops are located in the warehouses.
At the Hospitality Lounge, located across the street from Vendor's Plaza on the east end of the town, you can pick up maps, brochures and other helpful information.
Grand Hotel
Not far from the Hospitality Lounge, on Norre Gade, is the Grand Hotel. Built in 1841, it is an excellent example of 19th century architecture. It has recently been renovated, including restoration of many original features and expansion of the shopping area.
Fort Christian
Across the street from Vendor's Plaza is Fort Christian, a Danish built edifice that is immediately recognizable by its brick-red color. This National Historic Landmark is the oldest building still in daily use on St. Thomas; the fort dates back to the 17th century. You can climb to the top for a view of the harbor and the neighboring Legislative Building. Off the center courtyard are several small rooms that now comprise the Fort Christian Museum, which includes a collection of Amerindian relics and some interesting displays depicting life in the former Dutch colony.
Emancipation Park
Located across from the Grand Hotel is a small park commemorating the 1848 proclamation that freed the slaves. A reproduction of Philadelphia's Liberty Bell occupies a corner of the grounds. Shade trees, park benches and a white gazebo make the park an ideal resting spot. Currently undergoing relandscaping, the park will be the site of upcoming celebrations in 1998 to comemorate the 150th anniversary of the emancipation of the slaves.
Legislature Building
On the harbor side of the fort, between Veteran's Drive and the waterfront, is a pretty lime green structure that houses the islands' legislature. The building is typical of the graceful island architecture of a century ago; not the coat-of-arms painted on the exterior walls. The structure originally was erected as a barracks for Danish troops; later, it served as housing for U.S. Marines and as a public school. One of the high points in the old building's history was its use in 1917 as the site of ceremonies transferring ownership of the Danish Virgin Islands to the United States.
Frederick Lutheran Church
On Norre Gade, just east of the Grand Hotel, you will find the early-19th-century Frederick Lutheran Church, with its sweeping stairway. Constructed in a simple Georgian style in the 1780s, the structure has been rebuilt several times, resulting in the addition of its Gothic Revival trim. Among the churche's treasurers are antique chandeliers and 19th-century plaques inscribed in memory of several Danish colonists.
Seven Arches Museum
Continuing on Norre Gade will take you to Franklin D. Roosevelt Park; turn left at the Pearl Express shop and go up the street of steps to Kongens Gade. Just to your left, right next to the Lieutenant Governor's House is a tiny alley; along this passageway, a few yards down and to your left, you'll find this gem of a museum. Once a 19th-century Danish artisan's home, it has been lovingly converted into a museum by owners Barbara Demaras and Philibert Fluck. The two-story brick-and-stone structure, named for the seven arches that support its "welcoming arms" staircase, offers a rare glimpse into the bygone era when St. Thomas was a cosmopolitan port town.
Government House
Retracing your steps back to Kongens Gade, head west to find Government House, which houses the offices of the governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands. This neoclassical white brick-and-wood structure, with a typical red roof and intricate ironwork, commands a magnificent view of the town and harbor. Government House was erected in 1867 as a meeting place for the Danish Colonial Council; it was renovated in 1994.
99 Steps
Farther west on Kongens Gade, you'll come to a steep set of steps rising to the summit of Government Hill: the famed 99 Steps (actually there are 103). This stairway and others on St. Thomas were built in the mid-1700s as a result of impractical planning by Danish engineers who had never set foot on the island. They decreed that the city be laid out in a gridlike pattern, which meant building steps into nearly every hillside. The bricks used to construct the steps were originally brought from Denmark as ballast in the holds of sailing ships.
Blackbeard's Castle
Near the top of the 99 Steps lie the remains of Fort Skytsborg, the 17th-century fort that today is known as Blackbeard's Castle. The site was recently designated a National Historic Landmark by the federal government. Its name refers to the pirate Edward Teach, who allegedly frequented the island hundreds of years ago. Don't confuse this structure with Bluebeard's Castle on the eastern edge of town.
Hotel 1829
West of the foot of the 99 Steps is the Hotel 1829. This fine example of island architecture, constructed in the year that is now part of its name, was built as a townhouse for a French sea captain named Lavalette, whose initials can still be seen in the wrought-iron grillwork on the balcony above the main entrance. The Hotel 1829 restaurant is world-renowned.
The St. Thomas Synagogue
West of Government Hill, near the intersection of Raadets Gade and Crystal Gade, is The St. Thomas Synagogue. This is one of the most historically interesting - and best-preserved - buildings in St. Thomas. The Western Hemisphere's second-oldest synagogue (the oldest is on Curacao), this temple was constructed in 1833 by Sephardic Jews. The original structure was built in 1796. Since some of the earliest Danish settlers were Jewish, the temple played an important role in the spiritual life of the colony. Fire destroyed the first synagogue in 1804, and the second was dismantled to make room for a larger third, which also burned. In keeping with the Sephardic tradition, the floor of the current structure is covered with sand, symbolizing the ancient flight of the Jewish people out of Egypt and across the desert. Adjacent to the synagogue is the Wiebel Museum, where exhibits depict the Jewish community's role on the island. In June 1996, the congregation celebrated its bicentennial.
Market Square
Heading down Raadets Gade will take you back to Dronnigens Gade, or Main Street. On the west end of downtown Main Street is Market Square, where African slaves were once sold to the highest bidder. The auction blocks have been roofed, and now the square serves as an open-air produce market. Saturday is the busiest day, but just about any day has its share of local color and excitement.
