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| 2687 Saint Barthélemy - Gustavia (1) |
Posted on 16.08.2016, 30.08.2016, 01.10.2016
Shaped like a horseshoe around a small, sheltered harbor, and named after King Gustav III of Sweden, Gustavia is the main town and capital of the island of Saint Barthélemy. The eventual site of Gustavia was first called Le Carénage after the shelter it provided to damaged ships. According to the archives the name Gustavia appeared between December 28, 1786 and February 9, 1787. Gustavia remains as a reflection of the Swedish period (1784-1878).
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| 2722 Saint Barthélemy - Gustavia (2) |
Three forts built in the mid- to late 17th century protected the harbour: Oscar (formerly Gustav Adolf), Karl and Gustav. The sites of Fort Karl, overlooking Shell Beach south of town, and Fort Gustav (built in 1787), at the base of the lighthouse to the north, are popular with hikers. Fort Oscar, at the tip of Gustavia Peninsula, houses the Gendarmerie. There is a museum at the end of Victor Schoelcher Road on the peninsula.
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| 2789 Saint Barthélemy - View of Gustavia, and Gustavia lighthouse |
Gustavia has many high-end boutiques that are an essential source of revenue for the island, and one of the most high class luxury hotels on the island. Built in 1961, atop a hill at the site of historic Fort Gustave overlooking Gustavia harbor, Gustavia lighthouse is a 9m round conical tower painted white with a single red band at the top. The lantern has been removed and is on display at the Musée Municipal de St.-Barthélemy in Gustavia.
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