Blackbeard's Castle is one of five National Historic Landmarks in the U.S. Virgin Islands. It is located in the city of Charlotte Amalie, on the island of St. Thomas. Erected in 1679 by the Danes as a watchtower to protect the harbor as well as Fort Christian, Blackbeard's Castle was originally called Skytsborg (meaning protection castle). It is located at the highest point of Government Hill. Skytsborg served as a very effective vantage point for Danish soldiers to spot enemy ships. Fort Christian is at sea level, thus making it ideal for thwarting attackers with cannon fire; however, the fort itself did not provide an ideal view of incoming ships entering the harbor.
Skytsborg | |
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| Location | Charlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin Islands |
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| Coordinates | 18°20′37.83″N 64°55′46.53″W / 18.3438417°N 64.9295917°W |
| Built | 1679 |
| NRHP reference No. | 91001844 [1] |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | December 20, 1991 |
| Designated NHL | October 12, 1994[2] |
It was the centerpiece of a private residence for many years, and was turned into a hotel, but is no longer open to the public.
Connection to Blackbeard
editIt is not known what year Skytsborg 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.
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The Three Queens Fountain at Blackbeard's honors the 1878 Fireburn rebellion organizers: Queens Mary, Agnes, and Mathilda
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. April 15, 2008.
- ^ "Skytsborg (Blackbeard's Castle)". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Archived from the original on 2009-04-08. Retrieved 2007-06-28.
External links
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- Official website: National Historic Landmark Program