Basseterre

Basseterre is the capital of Saint Kitts and Nevis and sits on the southwest coast of Saint Kitts island along a sheltered bay, surrounded by green mountains. The town spreads along the waterfront and connects narrow lanes with open squares, while the center is arranged around a small roundabout featuring Georgian architecture.

French settlers founded the town in 1627 as part of their colony on the island, before control passed to the British in 1727. The shifting rule between the two European powers left visible marks in the layout and public buildings.

The name comes from the French word for lowland and refers to its position at sea level compared to the hills behind. Streets and houses in the old town still show walls of volcanic stone and wooden verandas that recall the architecture of colonial times.

An international airport and a deep-water port make the town the main transport hub for the island nation. Walking through the center lets visitors reach most landmarks in a short time, as they lie close together.

The central roundabout with Georgian architecture recalls Piccadilly Circus in London and houses the 19th-century Berkeley Memorial clock tower. The green paint on the tower and its four clock faces make it a reference point in the center.