Fort Charles, Military fort in Port Royal, Jamaica
Fort Charles sits at the entrance to Kingston Harbor with thick stone walls, gun ports, and cannons positioned around its perimeter. The structure displays typical European fortress design from the 17th century, with clear military engineering for defense and harbor control.
The British built this installation in 1655 following their capture of Jamaica from Spanish control. The name changed from its original designation to honor King Charles II, marking a shift in the island's colonial administration.
For centuries, this fort shaped daily life in Port Royal as the center of military authority and European control over the island. Locals and visitors alike see it today as a symbol of Jamaica's colonial past.
The site is easily accessible by a walking path with direct views of the harbor and surrounding waters. Inside, a museum displays military items, historical papers, and exhibitions focused on naval conflicts in the Caribbean.
The fort was originally surrounded by a thriving harbor town before a 1692 earthquake destroyed Port Royal and submerged many structures underwater. Archaeologists have worked beneath the water surface for decades, documenting the sunken remains of this historic settlement.
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