Kingstown is a city in Saint Vincent.
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| Kingstown | ||
| Parish | Parish of Saint George | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 17.600 | |
another value for residents on Wikidata: 25,000   | ||
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | ||
| location | ||
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background
Among the Indians, Kingstown Bay was called "Oashegunny". The small town is more common with Kingston as the capital Jamaica mistaken. Kingstown is on a narrow, flat strip of land and on the slopes of two hills, Mount St. Andrew and Dorsetshire Hill. Three streets run parallel to the harbor and form the backbone of the town. The townscape is characterized by the many small turrets of the Catholic Church. In 1970 the land area was extended towards the port, a container terminal was built and a new pier was built for cruise ships. The Cruise Ship Terminal now has modern terminal buildings with souvenir shops, restaurants and bars. Two ships can moor on the quays at the same time, they can be 100 and 260 m long. The parking lot is designed for 50 minibuses and taxis.
The ferries to the southern Grenadines islands have their own pier. Four ships can dock there at the same time. The air-conditioned terminal building has a waiting room for 50 people, a bar, a cafeteria and 28 boxes for short-term luggage storage on the basement floor. The Teach Restaurant with bar is located on the floor above. All facilities are open daily from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. The car park is guarded 24 hours a day.
The greater Kingstown area includes the districts Edinboro and New Montrose on the northwest side of the bay, Old Montrose with the botanical garden in the north. The districts stretch to the northeast Liberty Lodge, Kingstown Park, Murray, Rockies and Richmond Hill up the hill. The district is located in the southeast Sion Hill Follow to the airfield and on the south side of the harbor bay Cane Garden, Roseau and Mallah.
getting there
By plane
The regional airfield E. T. Joshua Airport is located about 2 km southeast of the city center.
In the street
From the airfield, the main road winds around 100 m high Sion Hill into the center of Kingstown.
By boat
- M. V. Admiral I and M. V. Admiral II, Ferry Service, Port Elizabeth. Tel.: 458-3348. Departures from Kingstown: Mon-Fri at 7.45am, 11.30am, 4.30pm; Sa at 8.15 a.m., 11.30 a.m. 7 p.m. Sun public holidays at 9:00 a.m.Price: Fare: EC $ 20 for a one-way trip, EC $ 35 for a return trip, travel time is 1 hour.
- M.V. Bequia Express, Ferry Service, Port Elizabeth. Tel.: 458-3472, Fax: 457-3055. Departures from Kingstown: Mon-Fri at 8:00 am, 10:30 am, 1:00 pm, 4:00 pm 6:00 pm; Sa at 8.30 a.m., 12.00 p.m. and 6.00 p.m.; Sunday at 8.30 a.m. 6 p.m. on public holidays.Price: Fare: EC $ 20 for a one-way trip, EC $ 35 for a return trip, travel time is 1 hour.
- M.V. Barracuda, Ferry service. Tel.: 456-5180. Goes to the southern Grenadines islands. The departure times are not guaranteed and must be requested in advance! Departure times: Mon Thu: from St. Vincent: 10.30 a.m., to Bequia: 11.30 a.m., from Bequia: 11.45 a.m., to Canouan: 1.45 p.m., from Canouan: 2.00 p.m., to Mayreau: 3.00 p.m., from Mayreau: 3.25 p.m. Union Island: 3:45 p.m.; Departure times: Tues Fr: from Union Island: 6.30 a.m., to Mayreau: 7.20 a.m., from Mayreau: 7.30 a.m., to Canouan: 8.30 a.m., from Canouan: 8.45 a.m., to Bequia: 10.45 a.m., from Bequia: 11.00 a.m., at St Vincent: 12:00 noon; Departure times: Sa: from St. Vincent: 10 a.m., to Canouan: 2 p.m., from Canouan: 2:30 p.m., to Mayreau: 3 p.m., from Mayreau: 3:15 p.m., to Union Island: 4 p.m., from Union Island: 5:30 p.m., to St. Vincent: 10.30 p.m.Price: Fares: St. Vincent - Bequia 15 EC $; St. Vincent - Cannouan EC $ 20; St.Vincent - Mayreau EC $ 25; St.Vincent - Union Island EC $ 30.
mobility
Rental car
- hertz, Grenville Street. Tel.: 456-1743.
Bike rental
taxi
- Combine taxi service, Market Square. Tel.: 457-1016.
- Glassy Taxi Service, Central Taxi Stand, Kingstown. Tel.: 457-1458.
- Kingstown Taxi Stand, Kingstown. Tel.: 457-2560.
Gas stations
- Banfield's Shell Service Station, Grenville Street. Tel.: 457-2509.
Tourist Attractions
- St. Mary's Cathedrale. The Roman Catholic cathedral was built from black volcanic rock in 1823. Since it was expanded in 1877 and 1891, different architectural styles can be found. In the early 1940s, the church was renovated under the direction of the Belgian Benedictine monk Dom Charles Verbeke.
- St. George´s Anglican Cathedral. This church is the seat of the bishop for the Windward Islands. At the end of the 1720s, the first church was built on the same site. This was destroyed by a hurricane in 1780. It was not until 1820 that two thirds of the current structure and the tower were built. The transept and pulpit were added between 1880 and 1887. The inner gallery is Georgian architecture. Some commemorative plaques, some of which were embedded in the floor of the main nave, are significant. The east and south sides are equipped with stained glass windows, these glass windows were originally commissioned by Queen Victoria for St. Paul's Cathedral in London. This is the oldest church building on the island.
- Kingstown Methodist Church. The Kingstown Methodist Church was completed on August 1, 1841 after five years of construction under the direction of John Cullingford. The organ with its complicated construction is of particular importance. The colored windows and the colored interior decoration are also important.
- Archaeological Museum, in the botanical garden. Ceramic shards, a Polynesian war canoe and stone tools are on display at the Archaeological Museum.Open: Wed 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., Sat 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.Price: Entry 2 EC $.
- Botanical Garden, Leeward Highway, Ministry of Agriculture, Industry & Labor, Kingstown. Tel.: 457-1003. This 5 hectare garden was founded in 1762 by the then island governor General Melville. It is the oldest botanical garden in the western world. From 1787 to 1788, Captain William Bligh made his first voyage to Tahiti, which ended with the mutiny on the Bounty. After the successful second voyage, he dropped anchor in Kingstown Harbor in 1793. The director of the garden, Sir Alex Anderson, was able to successfully propagate the seedlings with a lot of feeling. In 1884 great efforts were successfully made to revitalize the garden. By 1890, the facility was included in plans for a larger agricultural-botanical project. A West Indian Commission was established in 1890-1891 and oversaw the development of several experimental stations for the introduction of new crops on the island. The botanical garden was enlarged to 3 hectares at that time. In 1940, William Sands became the first superintendent of agriculture. He was responsible for the agricultural school, experimental stations, agricultural development projects and the cotton mill. In addition, he still found time for the Botanical Garden, which reached its present size by 1944. The experimental station was then moved to Camden Park. Today one can find one of the few specimens of the national tree, the Soufriere tree, Spachea perforata, which has not been wild since 1812 in the Botanical Garden. In the recent past there has been extensive planting of conifers, Italian cypresses and pines.
- Government House, at the north end of the Botanical Garden. Tel.: 456-1401, Fax: 457-9710. Saint Vincent's governors lived in different houses over the centuries. In 1791 the Government House was somewhere in the Calliaqua area. During the second Carib War from 1795 to 1797, the governor and his staff fled to Forte Charlotte. At the time, the Government House was in Montrose. The abandoned house fell into disrepair after the Carib War. A new building was erected in Kingstown, on the site of the Barclalys Bank. Today the First Caribbean International Bank is there on Halifax Street. This new building gave the governor easy access to the offices in a nearby building. In 1828 another Government House was built on three acres in the Botanical Gardens. This house soon fell into disrepair too. The current Government House was believed to have been built on the same site in 1886. It has a three-sided gable roof. The walls of the basement are quarry stone masonry and the upper floor is made of wood. The entrance to the upper floor is via the external masonry staircase. Guided tours of 30 minutes are US $ 2, longer tours are US $ 3.
- Dr. Cecil Cyrus Museum, New Montrose. Tel.: 457-9781, Fax: 457-0812. This museum was established in the former Botanic Clinic in New Montrose. It is believed to be unique to the entire Caribbean. The original operating room has been preserved. There is a large exhibition of paintings. Medical samples are exhibited in over 1,000 different glass containers and bottles.Open: Mon - Fri 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Sat 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
- Fort Charlotte. Fort Charlotte, named after the wife of King George III. named, was built in the years 1796 to 1806 after there had been fortifications at the same place since 1791. It is located on the western edge of the bay on a ridge, nearly 200 meters above Kingstown. It was originally armed with 34 cannons and manned by 600 soldiers until 1854. Since attacks were feared both from the waterside and by the Carib Indians from the land side, the cannons point in both directions. In 1856, parts of the complex were damaged by fire. From 1867 to 1873 the royal artillery was stationed there, which also repaired the damage caused by the fire. As a result of high iron prices, several cannons were sold in 1872. In the years that followed, a coast guard signal tower was erected there and parts of the fort were converted into a women's prison. The gallows still stand there today, as the death penalty has not yet been abolished on the island. The facility has been partially open to the public since the 1960s. It was restored with funding from the EU and the Caribbean Development Bank. A museum on the history of the "Black Caribs" has been set up in the old warehouses.Open: daily 6 a.m. - 6 p.m.
shop
Most stores are on three streets, Bay Street, Middle Street and Grenville Street.
- Shopping centers
- Cobblestone Arcade, Bay Street
- Cruise Ship Terminal, at the harbor
- George's Plaza, Bedford Street / Grenville Street
- Kenmars Shopping Mall, Halifax Street
- Marcole Plaza, Halifax Street
kitchen
- Aggie's Restaurant & Bar, Grenville Street / Higginson Street. Tel.: 456-2110. West Indian, cheap.Open: Mon - Sat from 9 a.m., Sun from 5 p.m.
- Club Calabash, Bentick Square. Tel.: 456-1360.
- Diners Delight Restaurant & Bar, Middle Street. Tel.: 457-1103.
- Double Happiness Restaurant, 2 Halifax Street. Tel.: 451-2182.
- Global Café, Bentick Square. Tel.: 457-2581.
- Golden rock, Middle Street. Tel.: 457-2304.
- Hazel & Mishka Spicy Food, New Kingstown Market. Tel.: 451-2599.
- Hung Yun Restaurant, Bentick Square. Tel.: 451-2592.
- Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), Melville Street / Grenville Street. Tel.: 457-2612, Fax: 456-1112. Quick meals.Open: daily 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.
- Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), Upper Bay / James Street. Tel.: 457-2013. Quick meals.Open: Mon - Sat 10 a.m. - 9 p.m., Sun 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
- Nuff Food Shop, New Kingstown Vegetable Market. Tel.: 451-2850.
- Patsy's Café, Kenmars Mall, Halifax Street. Tel.: 485-6327.
- Rainbow Palace, Grenville Street. Tel.: 456-1763. West Indian, cheap.Open: Mon - Fri 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sat 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
- Sunshine Restaurant & Bar, Grenville Street. Tel.: 451-2244. Creole.Open: Mon - Fri 8 a.m. - 7 p.m., Sat 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- The Bounty, Egmont Street / Halifax Street. Tel.: 456-1776. Fast meals, cheap.Open: Mon - Fri 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sat 8 a.m. - 1.30 p.m.
- Vee Jay's Snackette, Lower Bay Street. Tel.: 457-2845, Fax: 457-1395. West Indian, cheap.Open: Mon - Sat from 9 a.m.
accommodation
- Fair View Guesthouse, New Montrose. Tel.: 453-1538. 6 rooms, bar, lounge.Price: All year round: single 95 US $, double 120 US $. Rental prices including breakfast, plus 10% service.
- Grenadine House (ex Roy's Inn, ex Camelot), Kingstown Park. Tel.: 458-1800, Fax: 458-1333. 20 rooms, restaurant, bar, pool, 2 conference rooms. Location: above St. George's Church.Price: In summer: single 150-240 US $, double 180-270 US $; in winter: single US $ 170-260, double US $ 200-290. Rental prices include breakfast and taxes.
- Heron Heritage Hotel, Heritage Square, Bay Street. Tel.: 457-1631, Fax: 457-1631, 457-1189. 8 rooms, 2 restaurants, bar, café, location in the city center, not very recommendable.Price: All year round: single US $ 65, double US $ 75, plus 17% tax.
- Haddon Hotel, McKies Hill. Tel.: 456-1897, Fax: 456-2027. 18 suites, restaurant, bar, car rental, conference room for 20 people.Price: All year round: Studio 1 person US $ 95, Studio 2 persons US $ 120, Suite 140-175 US $.
- New Montrose Hotel, New Montrose. Tel.: 457-0172, Fax: 457-0213. 25 apartments, restaurant, bar, fitness room.Price: All year round: Apartment 60-80 US $.
- Phoenix Apartments, Grant Street, New Montrose. Tel.: 457-9481, Fax: 457-9859. 9 apartments, handicapped accessible, air conditioning with cash deposit. Location: at the botanical garden.Price: All year round: single room US $ 30, double room US $ 70, apartment for 1 to 4 people 80-105 US $.
- Rich View Guesthouse, Sion Hill Bay. Tel.: 482-9500, 533-4137, Fax: 482-9500. 14 rooms and suites.Price: All year round: single US $ 62, double 80 US $, suite 90 US $. Rental prices include breakfast and 20% tax. Breakfast 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m., lunch US $ 12, dinner US $ 15.
- The Cobblestone Inn, Bay Street. Tel.: 456-1937, Fax: 456-1938. 19 rooms, 2 restaurants, 2 bars, shopping arcade, historical building.Price: All year round: single / double room 65 US $. Rental rates plus 10% service and 10% government taxes.
Learn
- University of the West Indies (UWI), School of Continuing Studies, Richmond Hill. Tel.: 456-1183, Fax: 456-1251.
health
doctors
- Caribbean Medical Imaging Center, Russell's Shopping Center, Stoney Ground. Tel.: 457-0317, Fax: 457-0208. Private hospital.
Pharmacies
- Gaymes Pharmacy, Grenville Street. Tel.: 456-1861.
- Medix Pharmacy, Grenville Street. Tel.: 456-2989. Open: Mon - Fri 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sat 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
optician
- Imperial Optical Company, 58 Grenville Street. Tel.: 456-1882, Fax: 456-2205. Open: Mon - Fri 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
dentists
- Hadeed Dental Clinic, Halifax Street. Tel.: 456-1162.
Practical advice
Banks
- First Caribbean International Bank, Upper Halifax Street. Tel.: 456-1706, Fax: 457-2985. Open: Mon 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Tue, Wed Thu 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., Fri 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- St. Vincent Co-Operative Bank, Heritage Square / Bay Street. Tel.: 456-1894, Fax: 457-2183. Open: Mon - Fri 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Fri also 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Scotiabank, 76 Halifax Street. Tel.: 457-1601, Fax: 457-2623. ATM.Open: Mo - Fr 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Fr also 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
International money transfers
police
- Royal St. Vincent & the Grenadines Police Force, Police Headquarters. Tel.: 457-1211, Fax: 456-2816.
administration
- Tourism Information Desk, Cruise Ship Terminal. Tel.: 457-1592.
miscellaneous
Post office
- General Post Office, Halifax Street, Kingstown. Tel.: 457-1744, Fax: 485-6262. Open: Mon - Fri 8.30 a.m. - 3 p.m., Sat 8.30 a.m. - 11.30 a.m.
Courier services
- D H L, Upper Middle Street. Tel.: 457-1172, Fax: 457-0101. Open: Mon - Fri 8 a.m. - 4.30 p.m., Sat 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
telecommunications
- LIME, Halifax Street. Tel.: 457-1901.
trips
Travel agencies
- Emerald Travel & Tours, Halifax Street. Tel.: 451-2262.
Round trips
- Richmond Nature Resort Heritage Tours, North Leeward Street, Richmond. Tel.: 485-7870, Fax: 485-7870.
