Port Royal, Former maritime settlement in southern Jamaica.
Port Royal sits along a natural harbor at the end of a sand spit between Kingston Harbor and the Caribbean Sea. The settlement today consists of scattered building ruins, archaeological remains, and the well-preserved Fort Charles, which overlooks the water and surrounding shoreline.
The British settlement emerged as the Caribbean's main naval base in the 1650s following England's takeover of Jamaica from Spanish rule. Growth into one of the region's wealthiest towns was abruptly halted in 1692 when an earthquake submerged much of the settlement underwater.
During the 1600s, the settlement served as a gathering point for sailors, merchants, and soldiers from different nations, creating a diverse port culture visible in the mixed architectural styles and street layouts. The religious tolerance of the era left traces in the early church structures that still stand among the colonial buildings.
The site is accessible by car about 30 minutes from Kingston, with guided tours available at Fort Charles. Visitors should bring sun protection and water, as the location offers limited shade and can be exposed to strong Caribbean sun.
The 1692 earthquake submerged about two-thirds of the settlement and preserved thousands of seventeenth-century artifacts in an underwater archive of sorts. This unusual collection gives archaeologists a remarkably complete window into daily life in this colonial trading port.
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