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Kingston
Walking Tours
Port
Royal
Introduction
Start:
Fort Charles, tucked away in the Old Military
Complex at the base of Church Street.
Finish: Y-Knot Bar, beside Morgan’s Harbour
Hotel.
Distance/Time: Approx. 1.5 km (1 mile)
The
Tour
To
begin pay the small entrance fee at Fort Charles’
gate and explore the fortresses quiet holdings
with a friendly local guide.
1. FORT CHARLES
The oldest and greatest of the ancient city’s
six fortresses, Fort Charles was built in the
17th century. Lord Horatio Nelson, Admiral Rodney,
Sir. Henry Morgan and many other famous men
strode proudly across the ramparts of this fearsome
fort, which boasted as many as 104 cannons and
500 hundred men.
Browse through the small, but informative museum
and later retrace Nelson’s footsteps on
the wooden quarterdeck overlooking the Caribbean
Sea.
Wander to the front of the fort, where you’ll
find The Royal Artillery Store (“Giddy
House”) and The Victoria Albert Battery.
2. THE “GIDDY HOUSE” AND
THE VICTORIA AND ALBERT BATTERY
Both structures were constructed in 19th century
and badly damaged by the earthquake of 1907.
Don’t leave without testing out the amazing
effect of walking on the Giddy House’s
sloping floor!
As you leave Fort Charles, you will see the
HMJS Cagway.
3. HMJS CAGWAY
A former Royal Navy station, now the headquarters
of the Jamaica Defence Coast Guard. The name
“Cagway” is a vestige of the town’s
past. It was the English version of Cayo de
Carena, the original Spanish name of the island
upon which the Port Royal was founded.
Heading north along Church Street, The Parade
Ground is on your left.
4. THE PARADE GROUND
This was once an inlet called Chocolata Hole.
During the 17th century, small vessels used
to dock in this harbour. The land was later
reclaimed and used by the British Royal Navy,
and then by the Jamaica Police Force, as a marching
ground.
At the front of the Parade Ground is a monument
to the 1962 Earthquake.
5. THE MONUMENT
This old ship’s mast was the only remnant
of a sloop, which was docked in harbour, during
the earthquake.
Adjacent to the mast is The Royal Engineer’s
Arch.
6. THE ROYAL ENGINEER’S ARCH
Reflective of the triumphant arches of ancient
Rome, the British army built this beautiful
red brick archway to mark the entrance to the
old military complex.
Standing near the arch, to your right, is The
Post Office.
7. THE POST OFFICE
In the 18th Century, this building served as
Officers’ Barracks for the British Royal
Navy.
From the arch continue northward, past the skeleton
of an old laboratory on the right, until you
arrive at the heart and soul of Port Royal –
St. Peter’s Anglican Church.
8. ST. PETER’S ANGLICAN CHURCH
A virtual museum of the town’s history,
the chapel has stood on this site since the
1726. In the churchyard, you will find the grave
of one of Port Royal’s most famous residents
Louis Galdy. Visit his tombstone and read the
fascinating inscription. Inside the church are
many other interesting relics, including the
communion silver, which is believed to date
to the 17th century and to have been a gift
from the notorious pirate Henry Morgan.
After spending some time at St. Peter’s,
walk along Church Street until it merges into
Tower Street. Take the first left turn onto
Love Lane, followed by an immediate right and
then another left onto Gaol Street. Here you’ll
find the Old Gaol.
9. OLD GAOL
A former 17th century jail and one of the few
architectural survivors of the earthquake. Today,
it is leased by a private business and is well
maintained.
At the westward end of Gaol Street take a left
turn onto New Street. Ramble along New Street
until you arrive at the entrance of the Old
Naval Hospital.
10. OLD NAVAL HOSPITAL
Built in the 1819, the hospital is one of the
earliest examples of pre-fabricated construction
in the world. It’s cast iron sections
were manufactured in England and shipped to
Jamaica for its construction. Now, it serves
as a research station for the Jamaica National
Heritage Trust Archaeological Division. In the
waters just off the Naval Hospital lie the largest
and most opulent parts of the ancient city.
After the hospital, turn right by the Public
Library and walk along Broad Street, observing
the fishermen servicing their boats.
Once
past the colourful canoes, go right onto Queen
Street. Before the earthquake this street was
one block away from the sea. Facing the Police
Station is Gloria’s Restaurant.
11. GLORIA’S RESTAURANT
Kingston’s only street-side café,
serving delicious seafood dishes.
Take A Break: If you’re hungry, Gloria’s
is the perfect place to stop and have a bite.
Enjoy delightful Jamaican fares like fry fish
with bammy and festival or curry lobster and
rice and peas.
Afterwards,
continue northward along Queen Street to the
Town Centre.
12. TOWN CENTRE
A former site of the Port Royal Courthouse,
it is now an empty lot. Each night, the square
heats up as a disco plays the latest music while
residents and visitors stream in and out of
shops and bars lining its edges.
Standing in the middle of the square, the Angler’s
Club sits to your left.
13. ANGLER’S CLUB
This tavern is the oldest one in Port Royal
and one of the few buildings to survive hurricane
Charlie in 1951.
From the square, trek eastward past the Fire
Station on Cagway Road, by the tasteful Cagway
Apartments on your right, to Tower Street. A
right turn leads you to St. Paul’s Methodist
Church on your right, St. Peter’s Anglican
Church on your left, and back to the Military
Complex and Fort Charles, where you began your
tour.
If
you want to keep going, take a left to Morgan’s
Harbour Hotel.
14. MORGAN’S HARBOUR HOTEL
This charming waterfront hotel stands on the
site of the old Kings House and the Naval Dockyard.
Built in the 1950s, it was a popular getaway
for Kingstonians and is still a local favourite
on weekends. Elegant yachts line its dock, overlooking
Kingston Harbour. Opposite the bar is a redbrick
building, bearing a sign that says 1692. Once
used as the hotel’s disco, this old pitch
house was a part of the navy dockyard. While
visiting Morgan’s Harbour you may charter
a boat to take you to Lime Cay, a nearby islet
with a beautiful white sand beach, or have a
drink or meal at its harbour front restaurant
and bar.
Across from Morgan’s Harbour, to the east
of the Port Royal All-Age School, is a plaque
marking the spot where Fort Rupert once stood.
15. FORT RUPERT PLAQUE
In the 17th century this fort guarded the eastern
entrance to Port Royal, via Palisadoes spit.
It boasted over 22 guns, but sank during the
1692 earthquake.
To the left of Morgan’s Harbour Hotel
is Y-Knot Bar.
16. Y-KNOT BAR
As well as serving cool drinks and tasty snacks,
Y-Knot offers a boat shuttle to Lime Cay. Throughout
the weekend this quiet spot comes alive with
thumping reggae beats and the laughter of happy
beach goers. Behind Y-Knot are several 19th
century buildings that were once navy storehouses
and admiralty quarters.
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