Blackbeard's Castle
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Blackbeard's Castle is one of five
National Historic Landmarks A National Historic Landmark (NHL) is a building, district, object, site, or structure that is officially recognized by the United States government for its outstanding historical significance. Only some 2,500 (~3%) of over 90,000 places listed ...
in the U.S. Virgin Islands. It is located in the city of Charlotte Amalie, on the island of St. Thomas. Erected in 1679 by the
Danes Danes ( da, danskere, ) are a North Germanic ethnic group and nationality native to Denmark and a modern nation identified with the country of Denmark. This connection may be ancestral, legal, historical, or cultural. Danes generally regard t ...
as a watchtower to protect the harbor as well as
Fort Christian Fort Christian is a Denmark-Norway, Dano-Norwegian-built fort in Charlotte Amalie, United States Virgin Islands, Charlotte Amalie, Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Built 1672-1680, early in the first successful colonial establishment on the isl ...
, Blackbeard's Castle was originally called Skytsborg (meaning protection castle). It is located at the highest point of Government Hill. Skytsborg served as a very effective vantage point for Danish soldiers to spot enemy ships. Fort Christian is at sea level, thus making it ideal for thwarting attackers with cannon fire; however, the fort itself did not provide an ideal view of incoming ships entering the harbor. It is not known what year Skytsborg took on the name of Blackbeard's Castle, but the infamous
Edward Teach Edward Teach (alternatively spelled Edward Thatch, – 22 November 1718), better known as Blackbeard, was an English pirate who operated around the West Indies and the eastern coast of Britain's North American colonies. Little is known about ...
, commonly known as Blackbeard, did sail the Caribbean waters in the early 18th century. It has become part of the lore of the island that he used the tower as a lookout for his own purposes of
piracy Piracy is an act of robbery or criminal violence by ship or boat-borne attackers upon another ship or a coastal area, typically with the goal of stealing cargo and other valuable goods. Those who conduct acts of piracy are called pirates, v ...
. It was the centerpiece of a private residence for many years, and was turned into a hotel, but is no longer open to the public. File:ThreeQueensSTT.jpg, The Three Queens Fountain at Blackbeard's honors the 1878 Fireburn rebellion organizers: Queens
Mary Mary may refer to: People * Mary (name), a feminine given name (includes a list of people with the name) Religious contexts * New Testament people named Mary, overview article linking to many of those below * Mary, mother of Jesus, also calle ...
, Agnes, and Mathilda


See also

*
List of United States National Historic Landmarks in United States commonwealths and territories, associated states, and foreign states This is a list of National Historic Landmarks in U.S. commonwealths and territories, associated states, and foreign states. Included are lists of National Historic Landmarks (NHLs) and of National Park Service administered areas in U.S. Commonw ...
*
National Register of Historic Places listings in the United States Virgin Islands __NOTOC__ This is a list of the buildings, sites, districts, and objects listed on the National Register of Historic Places in the United States Virgin Islands. There are currently 88 listed sites spread across 16 of the 20 subdistricts within t ...


References


External links

* Official website
National Historic Landmark Program
{{NRHP in Saint Thomas, United States Virgin Islands National Register of Historic Places in the United States Virgin Islands National Historic Landmarks in the United States Virgin Islands Buildings and structures completed in 1679 Buildings and structures on the National Register of Historic Places in the United States Virgin Islands Charlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin Islands 1679 establishments in North America Watchtowers Buildings and structures in the United States Virgin Islands