Destinations And Sightseeing

A. Castries

Apart from being the capital of St.Lucia, Castries is the largest city and the main port on the island. The city's origin can be traced back to the 18th century when it was a small town and was occupied by the French. Since then, the city has been destroyed by fire four times, of which the most recent fire occurred in 1948. As a result, very little of the old town is left except for some colonial buildings that have stylish balconies and elaborate latticework.

The Derek-Walcott Square, located in the old town center is spread over half an acre of fenced land and is home to flowering trees, bushes, a fountain, and a huge Saman tree that is supposed to be four hundred years old. The monument that you will see in the square was constructed in honor of those who died during the World Wars. The square has also become the most preferred location for celebrating local festivals such as the jazz festival that is held every spring.

Next to the Square is the Cathedral, which has a sober gray stone exterior with a washed out red roof. The interiors are nevertheless more colorful, especially the murals by Dunstan St. Omer, which are quite remarkable. The National Library is located on the west side of the square and houses a vast assortment of antique maps of the island and the Caribbean Sea.

The main commercial center is located in and around the William Peter Boulevard where the streets are lined with office buildings, telephone booths, banks, shops, and street vendors. Apart from this, the local market located at the center of the city sells different types of tropical fruits, fresh vegetables, and handicraft items. Other items sold at the market include bamboo furniture, baskets made from khus grass, crew pine and sisal, and coal pots. Necklaces made from bead, woodcarvings, herbs, and spices are also available at the market.

B. Caribelle Batik

While in St. Lucia do not forget to visit the Caribelle Batik, which is an open batik workshop where you are even allowed to buy the splendid creations produced there. The workshop is housed in Howelton House, which is one of the best illustrations of Victorian Caribbean architecture. The building has been renovated over a period of two years and is situated amid the green environs of The Morne that offers breathtaking views of the Castries Harbor and most of the island. On sunny days, you will be able to see the island of Martinique on the horizon, shimmering in the sunlight.

In the workshop, you can watch the two thousand year old weaving process. The workshop deploys some sixty workers who use different raw materials such as cotton imported from England, West Indian cotton, beeswax, paraffin wax and the most modern imported dyes. The workers use their own unique designs, which are then imprinted onto the cloth. Hot wax is then poured onto the parts of the fabric that are not to be dyed. After the dyeing process, the fabric is put into boiling water for thirty minutes for removing the wax. Different types of apparels are produced using the batik fabric such as shirts, trousers, skirts, tops, and beachwear.

C. Soufriere

Soufriere is a small town situated in the valley near Petit Piton. It is one of the oldest settlements of St. Lucia and was a flourishing port during the 18th century. The town was also associated with farming and the main crops grown in the region were sugar and coffee. The town was devastated by a hurricane in 1780 that destroyed most areas and affected the plantation fields.

The town came under French control in 1789 and was renamed La Convention by the Revolutionary Council in Paris. The town's popularity is also due to the fact that it was home to Napoleon's wife, Empress Josephine who spent a major part of her childhood at her father's estate, Malmaison, which is located on the outskirts of the town.

Even today, the town is out of step with modern times, but this has not dissuaded visitors from coming to the town, as it is a good place for exploring the region's history and surrounding landscape. You can have a feel of the daily life of local anglers who use the same type of dugout canoes, which their ancestors used generations ago.

Other attractions in the town include the twin peaks namely Gros Piton, which is located at an altitude of 2,619 feet and Petit Piton, which is located at an altitude of 2,460 feet above sea level.

D. The Botanical Garden and the Diamond Fall

The gardens are home to several naturally occurring hot springs that are said to have been created due to volcanic activity occurring in the Soufriere region. The water from these springs was used for filling baths located on the Diamond Estate. These baths were constructed in 1784 for providing therapeutic benefits to the troops of Louis XVI of France. The baths were used for about eight years before being destroyed during the French revolution in the Brigand War. The baths, over many decades, became overgrown and hidden by the bushes and were found during excavations conducted in 1930. Many years later, replicas of the baths were constructed and made available to visitors for a small fee.

The garden itself was developed over a period and a number of flowering bushes and shrubs were planted such as Hibiscus, Ixora, Heliconias, Anthurium, Frangipani, Orchid, Allamanda and the wonderful Balisier. Located near the garden is the magnificent Diamond waterfall that creates dazzling colors on the rock surface due to the minerals present in the rocks.

E. The Sulphur Springs

Located just a few miles from the Botanical Garden and the Diamond Fall are the Sulphur Springs that are a geological wonder and are popularly referred to as the ‘world's only drive-in volcano'. The whole area is enveloped with the smell of acrid Sulphur fumes, which might be unpleasant for some, but the health benefits of Sulphur has been proved by scientists and it is supposed to be helpful in the treatment of sinusitis, arthritis and skin problems.

Earlier, visitors were free to walk along the steaming pools, but after an accident, many viewing stations have been installed and visitors are often accompanied by guides who know their way around the area. There are about 24 springs located in the area and the temperature of water found in these craters hovers around 340o Fahrenheit. The area can be technically called a ‘caldera', which is a part of the volcanic rim that has collapsed; thereby opening cracks in the crust. The cracks allow steam to escape from the craters, which in turn help in reducing the build up pressure that can cause an eruption.

F. Morne Coubaril Estate

The estate is located near the town of Soufriere and dates back to the 17th century when plantations of sugarcane and coffee were the mainstay of the region's economy. It was initially a part of the two thousand acre estate commissioned by King Louis XVI of France. The plantation was cultivated all throughout the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, but during the latter part of the 20th century, the estate was neglected and remained unattended. The estate was developed during the 1990's and since that time it has become one of the most sought after destinations in St. Lucia, especially by visitors who have interest in the region's cultural heritage. It offers visitors an opportunity to witness some of the traditional activities of the island. The restoration of the plantation to its original state allows visitors to experience the rustic charms of the region and involve themselves in activities that date back a century or more. While on the estate, you can gain first hand experience about the processing of cocoa, copra, and manioc. You can also walk on the same street that was once used by mule carriages or visit the workers' village.

G. Pigeon Island

The island is spread over an area of forty acres and is connected to St. Lucia via a causeway on the west side. The island has been preserved in its natural form and reflects a history of more than a thousand years. It was originally a Carib settlement and a pirate hideout.

The island is home to several historical sites such as the impressive ruins of an18th century British fort and Fort Rodney, which was used by the admirals to spy on French ships. It also hosts St. Lucia's annual Jazz festival.