St. Thomas: Historic Walking Tour of Old Town
The tour begins at Fort Christian (dating back to the 1670s). You’ll be free to explore the old passage ways, rooms and dungeon of this centuries-old, grand structure. Atop the fort walls you’ll see the same views of the harbour and town that Danish governors and soldiers saw during ferocious invasions and pirate raids. Unique photo opportunities abound. Next, the tour will continue with a stroll through the heart of Charlotte Amalie. Your guide will lead you through the streets and alleyways of town. You’ll hear colorful stories about the island’s first inhabitants, explorers, slave revolts, pirates, voodoo, disgraced war generals, famous residents and other tales old and new. At the final stop, you'll enter a 200-year-old slave house, previously attached to a grand estate owned by a wealthy merchant. Your guide will share the history of the structure and the lives of its inhabitants. And you’ll also learn about the cultures and foods of the many peoples contributing to the island’s history. Within these same walls you’ll learn about the history of the slave house and the larger estate. You'll also get to tour the rum distillery and learn about the history of rum. At the conclusion, you are welcome to stay and enjoy the palm-shaded garden until closing time at 5 pm. This tour was created in collaboration with Danish and Virgin Islands historians. Only a select few know how this tiny little island had an outsized influence on the world stage throughout human history.