Blackbeards castle?

[cmhighto]

Is is worth going to Blackbirds castle or is it a waste of time?

[The Islander]

Hello,

 

The tour of Blackbeards Castle and their other historic properties (historic homes) is interesting... but it depends on if you are into that sort of thing.

 

--Islander

http://www.*****

[catladytx]

The tour of the property was interesting, but I was disappointed that it was a hotel and there was not a castle. There was a tower with a great view though. got some great pictures. It seems that no one was really sure if Blackbeard even stayed there. It was not quite what I had expected, but like I said the tower provided great photo ops. I was there in Jan 2005

[The Islander]

Right, as Catladytx said Blackbeards is not a castle. It is a tower and it wasn't built by Blackbeard the pirate - that is myth. The tower was built by the Danish West India Company as part of their defensive system in protecting the Charlotte Amalie Harbor back when their settlement was first being built (1600s). The tower worked together with Fort Christian and Bluebeards Castle (another look out tower that gained a pirate's named). The early governors of the Danish colony were said to have been friendly to pirates, allowing them to come into the harbor to sell their stolen property and to fix their ships; of consequence pirate truth and ultimately pirate myth abounds. Later governors tried to clean up the friendliness to pirates by not allowing them entry in an effort to make the harbor develop with legitimate trade.

 

History lesson over... :)

 

--Islander

http://www.*****

[Are we there yet?]

Is is worth going to Blackbirds castle or is it a waste of time?

 

We went.....wouldn't go again. $12 each (6 of us) to see a little tower, some pirate statues and a house full of antiques that had nothing to do with pirates. Wish we had done something better with our time!!

[srussell]

Just returned from St. Thomas and went to see Blackbeards castle. When we were in St. Thomas a few years ago (4) you could visit the castle for free. Now it has become a tour of 4 or 5 little houses and cost $14.00 per person.

 

In my opinion not worth it. It was barely worth it to see Blackbeards castle for free. You do get great pictures though.

[Coolcruise02]

Can you go to Blackbeards with out going in? I know that sounds funny, but just to take pictures of the view.

[The Islander]

Hello Coolcruise,

 

Blackbeards itself has a gate around the property, you have to pay to get in so see the old watch tower and the view etc. You can pay the self guided ticket rather than for the tour but you do still have to pay.

 

--Islander

http://www.*****

[Coolcruise02]

Thanks! :)

[jwitt2]

Thanks for the info. It has been awhile since we walked up there, didn't have to pay then. The view was nice, the walk up was hot.

[cruisin' again]

Thanks for the info. It has been awhile since we walked up there, didn't have to pay then. The view was nice, the walk up was hot.

 

hmmm...if anyone has climbed in the Statue of Liberty, would you equate the inside of the tower to that?? I mean size within, not height. THANKS!!

[The Islander]

Hello Crusin again,

 

The Statue of Liberty is wayyyyy bigger, taller, wider than Blackbeards Tower. Blackbeards & Bluebeards are small towers. You can see a photo of Blackbeards at http://www.*****/stthomas/attractions_stt/attractions_town2.php.

 

I think jwitt2 meant that the walk up from downtown, up the 99 steps and then to Blackbeards is hot and not the actual short climb within the tower itself.

 

--Islander

http://www.*****

[cruisin' again]

Hello Crusin again, I think jwitt2 meant that the walk up from downtown, up the 99 steps and then to Blackbeards is hot and not the actual short climb within the tower itself.

 

--Islander

www.*****

 

Thanks, Islander! Is there a way to get to the tower without walking up the 99 steps??? That would cause a MAJOR meltdown for him! Thanks!

[The Islander]

Hello,

 

Yes, you could take a taxi to the entrance of Blackbeards.

 

--Islander

http://www.*****