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Brimstone Hill
Fortress
National Park
 The massive 7 to 12 feet thick stone walls
of this impressive fortress were built with slave labour over a 106 year
period. The fort was the scene of one of the largest battles in the
Caribbean.
Eight thousand French troops, under the
command of the Marquis de Bouille, mounted a siege on less than 1,000
British troops that were at the fortress.
The British fought valiantly for a month
before they were forced to surrender. As a tribute to their grim
determination and bravery, they were allowed to leave in uniform with
their flag flying. One year later, the French were offered the same
privilege when the island was returned to the British under the Treaty
of Versailles. In 1851, the fort was abandoned and suffered neglect and
vandalism until 1965 when the site
became a national park.
Since then, intensive restoration has
returned the fort to its original grandeur. Tours of Brimstone Hill are
conducted daily. Some of the highlights include the hospital, ammunition
stores, artillery officer's quarters, the Prince of Wales Bastion, and
the Fort George Citadel.
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