August 25, 2015 Jamaica Tourist Board 0

Historic Routes of Jamaica

Legendary land of compelling history

Jamaica has a dynamic history with a rich, strong and vibrant background. From a mixture of ethnicities that have landed on the island country over centuries, Jamaica has many fascinating stories to tell. It is the heritage heartland to soak in the history of the Carribbean. With a combination of old places and its interesting stories dating back to hundreds of years, Jamaica is the perfect place to celebrate history.

Port Royal
Once known as the largest town in the English colonies, Port Royal is a captivating historical site of Jamaica. Many well-known pirates and privateers have passed through the port including Captain Henry Morgan. An earthquake hit Port Royal in June 1692 ruining the colony completely. The tremours of the earthquake perished two-third of the city and killed thousands. People talk about this incident as a curse, since the port was a major haven for pirates and buccaneers. Famously known as the wickedest city, tourists get a first-hand experience of the remains and the artifacts. Port Royal is now a small fishing village unlike its past.

Rose Hall Great House
Located approx 15km east of Montego Bay, Rose Hall Great House is one of the most intriguing historical structures in Jamaica. George Ash built it in 1770 for John Palmer and his wife Rosa. According to local legend the Great House is to this day haunted by the malicious spirit of Annie Palmer, “The White Witch”, the tempestuous widow of John Palmer’s grandnephew John Rose Palmer, who eventually came to own the estate. This stunningly built mansion is in cut-stone on the first two levels and stucco on the third and uppermost level. The building also features cut-stone symmetrical grand staircase, sash windows, keystones, etc making it perfect backdrop for couples who dream of a fantasy wedding set back in history.

Accompong Maroon Village
Accompong is a historical village of Jamaica where the runaway slaves settled to be safe from the Spanish and the British rulers, named after Maroon leader Accompong. Located in St. Elizabeth Parish, about 40 miles south of Montego Bay, the village was consolidated in 1739 by a treaty. It is a historic home to Leeward Maroon. The inhabitants of Accompong share practices and a culture similar to their African culture originating 200–300 years ago and is an interesting place to visit when in Jamaica.

Falmouth
Falmouth is Jamaica’s best-preserved Georgian town and a must visit when in the island country. With a rich heritage and history, Falmouth gives its visitors to enjoy 19th-century Georgian architecture as well as river bamboo raft rides, arts and crafts shopping, flavorful local fare and horse-and-buggy rides. Falmouth is situated about 18 miles east of Montego Bay and was once a royal town and commerce centre during the sugarcane boom of the 1700s. Falmouth with an interesting history and various attractions is a perfect place to spend some quality time on vacations.

Good Hope Great House
Good Hope Great House is a beautiful mansion consisting one-thousand acres of land. The estate borders the Martha Brae river.This old cut-stone building has high roof beam ceilings, with pinewood and wild orange floors, water wheel and kiln that still stand today. The Good Hope Estate was made through a land grant given to Colonel Thomas William and now is a home to 13-bedroom accomodation with various attractions nearby. Chukka Caribbean Adventures tours of the Good Hope Great House is one of the exciting activities to do in Jamaica.

Jamaica has a natural charm attracting visitors in hordes. The island has an array of spots worth visiting where tourists can have a great experience listening to the stories and legends behind the place.

About Jamaica Tourist Board
The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), founded in 1955, is Jamaica’s national tourism agency based in the capital city of Kingston. The JTB was declared the Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board by the World Travel Awards (WTA) from 2006 to 2013. Also in 2013, Jamaica earned the WTA’s vote for the World’s Leading Cruise Destination, Caribbean’s Leading Destination and Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Destination for the seventh consecutive year. Additionally, the Historic Falmouth Cruise Port was recognized as the World’s Leading Tourism Development Project while Ocho Rios was named the Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Port and Sangster International Airport was voted the Caribbean’s Leading Airport. In Canada, Jamaica was voted the Favourite Honeymoon Destination by Travel Agents.

JTB offices are located in Kingston, Montego Bay, Miami, Toronto and London. Representative offices are located in Berlin, Barcelona, Rome, Amsterdam, Delhi and Tokyo.

For details on upcoming special events, attractions and accommodations in Jamaica go to the JTB’s Web site at www.visitjamaica.com or call the Jamaica Tourist Board at 1-800-JAMAICA (1-800-526-2422). Follow the JTB on Facebook at www.facebook.com/visitjamaica, on Twitter at www.twitter.com/visitjamaicanow, on Instagram at www.instagram.com/visitjamaica, on Pinterest at www.pinterest.com/myjamaica, or on YouTube at www.youtube.com/myjamaicajtb. View the JTB blog at www.islandbuzzjamaica.com.