Fort Christiansvaern image

Fort Christiansvaern

Tourist attraction Historical landmark

Self-guided tours go through this historic fortress museum & related structures on 7 acres. People often mention fort, interesting, history,


Address

P7WX+Q7G, Hospital St, Christiansted, St Croix 00820, U.S. Virgin Islands

Website

www.nps.gov

Contact

+1 340-773-1460

Rating on Google Maps

4.60 (204 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Sunday: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
  • Monday: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
  • Tuesday: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
  • Wednesday: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
  • Thursday: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
  • Friday: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
  • Saturday: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: fort (16) interesting (12) history (7)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Ali B. 2 years ago on Google
    This fort was soooo interesting. My husband and I who are in our 50’s turned into 10 year kids and spent 90 minutes here exploring. The fort looks to be in excellent shape to be so old and the powder magazine room was something that I hadn’t seen before in other forts. Not that they didn’t have one, but the one here was super cool. The cannons were still all lined up overlooking the gorgeous water. The restrooms are well kept. The grounds were kept nicely as well. It was a very interesting way to spend little more than an hour.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Tim H. 1 year ago on Google
    Looking for something to do while in the town of Christiansted? Take a look at this fort. The National Park Service has done an incredible job keeping this fort in the condition it is in being so old. The signage throughout the fort is all easy to read and should be read. It is very interesting. We spent at least an hour there, but if you don’t have much time you can get through it quickly. Once up top take some time to absorb the beauty of your surroundings. The views of Gallows Bay to your right of the fort are beautiful and the views looking towards Christiansted harbor (to the left) are equally as beautiful! Have fun and enjoy!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Trevor H. 2 years ago on Google
    Interesting place that should take maybe 20 minutes or so to stroll through. The website says they're open 7 days a week, but I found them closed on Sunday.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Dana W. 2 years ago on Google
    Fort is awesome and the signage inside and around the grounds is good. Great views of the city and harbor. Really disappointed the visitors center is still closed as are the Steeple and Company buildings.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Debra S. 5 months ago on Google
    Very interesting lots of history. Was also a courthouse in a jail. Alexandra Hamilton's mother was in prison there for a few months.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 James N. 2 years ago on Google
    Very interesting Fort. You really get a feel for what it was for those who were stationed/imprisoned there. Also great vantage points from the point. Best of all it was free when we went.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 James L. 1 year ago on Google
    Very interesting history. Can't believe the effort it took to cart all the heavy stones to build this fort. Bathrooms were very hard to get to for mobility limited people. Bathroom was not clean and unless you carried your own supply of paper, you were paperless 🥺
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lynn T. 2 years ago on Google
    The grounds are beautiful. It’s nice to learn the history of the place. The fort was built while the island was under Dutch rule. From the top, you get amazing views of the water and Protestant Cay. You can explore some of the rooms. You can even go down to the fort prison.

  • 5/5 Justin H. 1 year ago on Google
    Free and interesting historic defensive port fortress. Could see the whole Cay from the top of the cannon wall. Self guided tour and was quiet on the day we went.

  • 4/5 Angela P. 1 year ago on Google
    Great historical site, has connections to Alexander Hamilton's mother. Glad to see they are currently doing restoration work. They're several historical buildings in this area as well.

  • 3/5 Andy S. 11 months ago on Google
    This is a nice little park and the fort is interesting, but nothing special. It takes about 15 minutes to do the whole fort, though there is some interesting history. If you are like me, you do all the reading before getting there, so walking around is quite quick as it’s a small fort. There is a park around it and other buildings that make up the historical site itself. However when I went all of these were closed. It was also really hard to actually find the staff and get my brochure and stamp. I think in the summer, its probably more interesting, when everything is open.

  • 4/5 ana t. 8 months ago on Google
    Located at the historical centre of the city, the Fort was the first fortress built in the island in 1749 by African slaves during the Danish reign. It was built to defend Christiansted  and provide safe anchorage for the vessels. Later on it was used as jail, police station and court. The entrance is free of charge and you will visit the prison cells, a dungeon ( where it is said that Alexander Hamilton's mother spent some time), barracks room, the arsenal. You will get a good ideia of how it was back in those days. There are bathrooms available at the place. There is no acess for people with reduced mobility, only stairs. Parking is available just in front.

  • 4/5 Lucille T. 8 months ago on Google
    We stopped by this fort as part of a self-guided historic walking tour and walked through on our way to other points of interest. The views from the highest point of the fort are just beautiful. There are plenty of sign to guide you as you take in the many uses the fort once had. It's a national historic site and the oldest structure on St. Croix and It's a great way to absorb some of the island's history.

  • 5/5 Sasha O. 11 months ago on Google
    An amazing piece of history that doesn't shy away from its ugly side! Loved it for all it was! Definitely check it out!

  • 5/5 Alex M. 4 years ago on Google
    This fort was a great place to spend an afternoon. You can stay as little or as long as you would like. From the dungeon to the artillery, there is a lot to see in a fairly small area. It was interesting to learn about the Dutch heritage of the island and its ties to Alexander Hamilton. The admission costs are as follows: $7 for each adult, and free for kids 15 and under. Admission is good for 3 days if you wish to come back.

  • 4/5 dogandcat F. 3 months ago on Google New
    The Fort teaches a lot about the history of St. Croix which is really interesting. However, they recently started charging $10.00 pp . Which wouldn't be bad except there is a big section that you can't view due to the repairs.


Call +1 340-773-1460 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible parking lot

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