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Forts of St. George's
 The fortifications in St. George’s attract thousands of visitors each year and are a primary reason for its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Perhaps the best-known fort, Fort St. Catherine is located about a half-hour by foot from downtown St. George and a few minutes by scooter. Nearby Fort St. Catherine Beach and Achilles Bay make it a popular destination for hikers and swimmers. The fort stands where a watchtower was built as early as 1613 — one of four towers constructed along the coast to protect the island from the Spanish, who were unhappy about the English presence.
The fort houses a museum with an impressive array of weapons and replicas of the British Crown Jewels. Renovated several times until the late 1800s, the moat, tunnels and ramparts make for fascinating exploration. (297-1920)
Alexandra Battery, about a mile from Fort St. Catherine, was built in the 1850s and rebuilt several times up to 1900. It’s located on a historic site, for on a nearby bay, Sir Thomas Gates — thought to be the first Sea Venture survivor to come ashore — oversaw the building of Deliverance in 1610 using native cedar and salvage from the wrecked Sea Venture. Today visitors climb to the emplacements to enjoy breathtaking views of the sea.
St. David’s Battery on the east coast of St. David’s Island has breech-loading guns dating to the 1900s whose long range was vital to Bermuda’s defence. It’s known throughout the world as an impressive military site, and today stands as a memorial to all Bermudians who have served in the military.
Cruise ships arriving in St. George are greeted by the Town Crier standing on the ruins of Gates Fort, which appears on maps as early as 1626 and was rebuilt in the late 18th century. Sailors once stood watch here to guard against enemy ships; today it’s a popular place to observe the comings and goings in the busy harbour.
Among other forts are Fort George, which is located on the highest hill in town and serves as a maritime observation station, and Ferry Island Fort, which played an important role in the 1700s protecting the ferry that was then the only means of transportation between St. George and the mainland.
Fort Popple exists today thanks to Gov. Alured Popple, who became governor in 1738 and decided to shore up the country’s defences. Fort Popple was repaired over the centuries, but time and the sea have taken their toll. The area around the fort is a hiker’s paradise with spectacular water views.
Because many of the forts of St. George’s are located on picturesque sites, they remain popular stops for walkers and photographers. Built for defence, they evoke a very different time, providing a glimpse into the Bermuda that once was a lonely outpost in a vast ocean.
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Have a fun-filled vacation with a cycle from Oleander. If you can ride a bicycle, you can easily ride an Oleander scooter. See all of Bermuda...reserve one today!
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Relax, enjoy, save and see Bermuda by bus. A blue or pink pole indicates bus stops. If the pole is topped with blue, the bus travels from Hamilton; if the pole is topped pink, the route is toward Hamilton.
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