Exploring the history of Barbados
The beautiful island of Barbados is located in the southern part of the Caribbean Sea, not far from the northern coast of Venezuela and the islands of Trinidad and Tobago. The history of the settlement of Barbados dates back to the settlement of the Amerindians between the 4th and 7th centuries AD Later, in the 13th century, the Kalinago arrived from South America. During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Portuguese and Spanish visited the island, settling along the coast and near the northern edge, where the Cobblers Cove luxury hotel is located. Once the British arrived in the 1600s, they ruled the island continuously until it declared independence in 1966 and became a sovereign island state.
Today, the island is a prime vacation spot for those who want to soak up some sun, see some of the world’s most popular beaches, rub shoulders with the rich and famous, and explore the island’s history with a little more depth. . If you’re staying in Cobblers Cove, be sure to visit the Bridgetown and Garrison site, the Barbados Museum, and Sam Lord’s Castle.
Siege of Bridgetown and Garrison
In 2011, the Bridgetown area and the nearby Garrison site were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for its “outstanding British colonial architecture consisting of a well-preserved old town built in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries.” The current city was established by English settlers in 1628, following earlier settlement in the area. The meandering layout of medieval streets has been preserved, as has the architectural integrity of this important port city. Be sure to visit Independence Square, The Jewish Synagogue, Carlisle Bay Beach and Cheapside Market before heading back to the north of the island to the lush area around Cobblers Cove.
Barbadian Museum
Before heading back to the beautiful beaches along the northwest coast near Cobblers Cove, take some time to visit the Barbados Museum, located in Bridgetown at Garrison. Once a British military prison, built between 1817 and 1853, the building became home to the museum in 1930. The museum will take you through the history of the Bajan peoples, show you examples of home furnishings from plantations, describe the natural history, including coral reefs, and even provide you with a point of reference for future research on the island’s fascinating history.
Sam Lord’s Castle
Officially known as Sam Hall Lord, this character was a famous or infamous buccaneer from the island of Barbados. Legend has it that Sam Lord would hang coconut lanterns near the shore so that passing ships would think it was Bridgetown and get close enough to be shipwrecked on the reefs, then he would attack and loot the ships. The huge mansion/castle built by Sam Lord is an impressive structure dating back to the 1820s. It is well worth a visit for its imposing opulence and interesting history.
