Visit Barbados, History, Places of Interest, Beaches, Scuba Diving - Big C Productions, Your Production House

Barbados - At A Glance
1625: First settlement by the British
1600's - 1980's: Economy is based on exporting sugar crop
1838: Slavery was abolished
1950's:Barbados gets discovered as a vacation destination
1954: Sir Grantley Adams becomes the first Premier
1966: Independence from Great Britain

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Bridgetown
Parliamentary Democracy
~277.300
166 sq mi (430 sq km)
English
Bajan Dollar (US Dollar accepted)
Left Side

Barbados - In Depth
Barbados gets its name from the Portuguese “Los Barbardos” meaning the bearded ones. The expression has commonly thought to have been referring to the appearance of the islands so called bearded fig trees. The Portuguese, French and Spanish were the first European peoples to land on the island in the fourteen hundreds, but for them it was considered mostly to be a stepping stone to Brazil and South America. This picturesque land of warm sloping hills and wide open pastures reminded the pioneer British settlers in 1625 of the terrain of Scotland. Today, the natural beauty of the land like that found spanning over the Scotland district, still evokes that same sense of freedom and renewal that inspired the islands first colonizers.

It may come as a surprise to even some of its own citizens, to learn that Barbados is home to the third oldest parliamentary democratic system that the world has known – following, of course that of England and is second only to Bermudas in the western hemisphere. The British influence saturates the character of daily life in the island’s urban districts. This influence can be seen from the centuries old gothic government building architecture to the former British garrison, that today serves as the island’s race track and also hosts the largest collection of 17^th century canons in the world.

Heroes Square
Statues, monuments, and memorials decorate the cities public squares. The dolphin fountain was dedicated in 1865 to commemorate the completion of Bridgetown’s first piped water system. The statue erected in honor of Great Britain’s Lord Admiral Horacio Nelson predates London’s own version by fully three decades. Together they decorate heroes square located at the mouth of the cities main market thoroughfare – Broadstreet. back to top

Harrisons's Cave
A unique phenomenon of nature, Harrison’s Cave is one of the most magnificent natural attractions in the entire Caribbean. Formed from crystallized limestone, the spectacular gallery of stalactites hanging from the roof of the cave and stalagmites emerging from the cave’s floor, have developed over thousands of years; however, work on the development of the cave as a potential visitor attraction only began in 1974, involving painstakingly detailed efforts which included digging tunnels, improving lighting and diverting underground streams. back to top

Morgan Lewis Sugar Mill
The Morgan Lewis Sugar Mill is one of only two remaining fully-intact, restored Sugar Millls in the Caribbean and, according to the Word Monuments Fund, is considered to be among the one hundred most endangered sites in the world. Built in 1727, the mill ground between four and five tons of sugar cane per hour, and helped produce the sugar for which Barbados was once world famous.
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Jacobean Mansions
Not far from the Morgan Lewis Sugar Mill, stands St. Nicholas Abbey one of only three Jacobean mansions in the western hemispere.

Barbados is also home to another structure famous for its classic Jacobean architecture: Drax Hall. The brother William and James Drax built the plantation in the 1650’s and it is one of the first and largest sugar properties on the island. The walls of the structure are comprised of boulders held together by a mixture of coral dust and egg whites, as there was no cement at the time it was erected!
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Codrington College
Is named after its benefactor, Christopher Codrington, who specified in his bequest a number of the universities’ professors should be obliged to teach medicine, surgery and divinity. Though the erection of the college began in 1715, factors such as economic depression, drought and legal disputes kept it from being officially opened until 1745. The oldest Anglican theological college in the western hemisphere, enabled the sons of the local gentry, who otherwise would have gone to England for their educations, to complete their studies on the island. The college also served a number of poorer, but academically skilled, young men. Today the college is undergoing restoration, and it hopes to introduce a special program for alcohol and drug counselors in the near future.
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Francia Plantation

The Francia Plantation combines an elegant blend of European and Caribbean influences. Surrounded by beautiful terraced lawns and gardens, as well as intricate fountains and ferneries, the Francia Plantation also houses many ornate Barbadian antiques, fine pieces of silver and china, and a collection of antique maps.

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Sunbury Plantation
Another Bajan landmark is Sunbury Plantation House, the history of which spans back over 300 years. Built in the 1660, past owners of the plantation included colonel Johan Barrow, who was in charge of the slave rebellion in 1816. Sunbury sustained almost 4,000 pounds in damage as a result of the rebellion. In 1835, the brothers Thomas and John Daniel purchased the estate, which at the time was comprised of 413 acres and 224 slave apprentices after the abolition of slavery. Today, Sunbury House possesses on of the islands most exquisite collections of antiques. The house’s current owners have carefully chosen fixtures and furnishings to preserve its heritage and to give doay’s visitors an authentic snapshot of the house’s rich history.
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Gun Hill Signal Station

was one of a series of stations built in the early 1800’s. The panoramic, breathtaking views of the entire island it provides once enabled such stations to signal each other in warning of approaching vessels. Restored by the Barbados National Trust, the signal station now houses a collection of military memorabilia.

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Cigar Production
Although sugar cane has long served as the islands primary crop, tobacco and cotton had both had their day. In the late 20th century tobacco production slowly declined in Barbados so that by its end it represented less than 1 % of all foreign bound trade. But within this slice of the Bajan export pie, you can still find a few surprises like non other than one of the worlds most disesteemed luxury items, the legendary cuban cigar. Although partly composed of tobacco leaves from as far away as Mexico, Ecuador and Cameroon, the 80 % used for the actual filler of the cigar, at certain shops, is imported from Cuba. Visitors are invited and welcomed to watch the methods by which 4,000 of the world most finest quality cigars are turned out by hand each week.
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Steel Drum
Barbados is considered by many to be the music capitol of the Caribbean. The calendar year is filled with events and celebrations that showcase the islands appreciation for a surprising range of musical styles. From Jazz, Opera and Rhythm & Blues to Gospel, Reggae and Folk. The most common in sound in its musical culture belongs to the humble, yet vulnerable good old steel drum. Invented in Trinidad and born of biscuit tins, hub cabs and old 55 gallon oil drums left over by the British from World War II, steel drum music has evolved so that its sound can be heard in most every musical form; from calypso to Beatles and Ricky Marten and yes, even Schubert and Bach. back to top

Pelican Craft Center
Halfway between Bridgetown and the Barbados' Cruise Ship Terminal is the Pelican Craft Center. Here, craftspeople create and sell locally made items like wood carvings, basketry, paintigns, cigars just to name a few.
One of the most fun and spirited attractions in Bridgetown, is the ongoing weekly presentation of culture and history offered by the Pelican Craft Center's Dowflake Group. Like a kaleidoscopic caribbean jamboree the group features colorfully choreographed dances that depict numerous events in the islands cultural and political history. From traditional cording rituals to reenactments of the initial meetings between the island natives and the british colonizers and even famous battles, the group brings to life a nation and a spirit of the people that have survived, thrived and celebrates life.
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