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| Spanish Town | ||
| Parish | St. Catherine | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 131.056 (2001) | |
no tourist info on Wikidata:  | ||
| location | ||
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Spanish Town is a city in Jamaica.
background
Spanish Town was considered by the Spanish conquerors in 1523 Santiago de la Vega founded. The island was ruled from there between 1534 and 1872. When the British troops occupied the island, there were between 400 and 500 houses. In 1655 all the churches and monasteries in the city were destroyed and burned down.
Large areas of sugar cane were grown around the city in the last century. For this purpose, the river Rio Cobre, which flows past the city, was dammed, and the backwater was channeled onto the fields via open channels. These channels are still in place today. A large part of the sugar cane fields is now fallow. On another area southeast of Spanish Town, Portmore was built, planned on the drawing board, a pure dormitory city for the middle class of Kingston.
Spanish Town itself has become more and more of an industrial suburb of Kingston in modern times. The city has narrow, winding streets, is hot, dirty, unfriendly and had a high crime rate, especially in the 1970s and 80s. Only in the last few years three large shopping centers have emerged on the main thoroughfare. For tourists, only the small area of the city center with the historical buildings is of importance. Without this it would be better to bypass the city. Another proof of the unattractive location is the lack of any hotels.
getting there
In the street
There are just 20 kilometers of road between the center of Spanish Town and the center of Kingston. Both cities are connected by the Mandela Highway, which was expanded to four lanes in the 1970s. In addition, you can drive on the new Highway 2000, which is subject to a fee. Those coming from the west or north-west can drive around Spanish Town. The so-called Spanish Town Bypass has existed here for decades.
Tourist Attractions
- The old city center formed a plaza, for the British it became a parade ground, today it is simple The Park. A double row of tall palm trees in the central axis and a wall with a cast iron fence surround it. Its current dimensions correspond to the original size of the Spanish plaza.
- On the north side is the National Archives from Jamaica, where all important documents and documents of the island are kept. The building on the left was originally built as an ammunition store. In the middle in front of it is the repeatedly renovated Rodney Memorial. It was built in memory of Admiral George Rodney. Under his leadership, the British fleet south of Guadeloupe was able to inflict a crushing defeat on the French fleet under Count de Grasse. This ensured British supremacy in the region. The two cannons to the right and left of the statue are from the French flagship.
- On the west side of the square is the facade of Old Kings House. Built in 1759-65 at the then price of £ 30,000, it was the governor general's seat until 1872. In 1838 the abolition of slavery was proclaimed from the steps. In 1925 most of the building was destroyed by fire. Today the Folk Museum is housed in the stables that adjoin. The exhibition is hardly worth a visit.
- Opposite on the east side it says House of Assembly, Built in 1762. The representatives of the people met here in the meeting house; today it is the seat of the district government.
- The last building on the south side of the square was built in 1819 Courthouse built. Originally the Spanish Church of the White Cross was located there. After a fire in 1986 only the empty walls of the courthouse are left, a historical reconstruction is planned.
mobility
The large bus parking lot is located on the old main street, Bourke Road. This is where public transport buses run from Kingston. Line 21 from Spanish Town via Cross Roads to New KIngston; Line 22 via Spanish Town Road to Downtown Kingston.
Minibuses from Spanish Town to Kingston cost 50 Jamaica dollars.
shop
In recent years, several new shopping centers have emerged where the population can do their daily shopping.
The Angels Plaza can be found on the northern outskirts of the city in the Angels district.
The former main thoroughfare, it leads past the hospital, the high prison walls and the old train station, shines today through several shopping centers, which are either directly on the street or around the corner in one of the branching side streets.
- Bus Terminus Plaza, Bourkes Road.
- Kings Plaza, 2 King Street, north of Bourkes Road.
- Life of Jamaica Plaza, 17 Bourkes Road.
- Oasis Shopping Plaza, 6 March Pen Road, south of Bourkes Road, behind the former railway line.
- Saint Jago Shopping Center, 12 Bourkes Road.
- Spanish Town Shopping Center, Bourkes Road.
kitchen
- Burger King, Spanish Town Shopping Center. Tel.: 749-1479.
- Brunchis, Angels Plaza. Tel.: 602-5892, Fax: 602-5893. Jamaican.Open: Mon - Sat 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m., Sun 1:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
- Kentucky Fried Chicken, Angels Plaza. Tel.: 602-5643.
- Ocean fast food restaurant, Spanish Town Shopping Center. Tel.: 984-3787.
- Pizza Hut, Angels Plaza. Tel.: 602-5643.
security
Police:
- Police station, Oxford Road / Wellington Street. Tel.: 984-2775.
health
Doctors:
Optician:
- Imperial Optical, Oasis Shopping Plaza, 6 March Pen Road. Tel.: 749-2905.
- Spanish Town Optical, St. Jago Shopping Center. Tel.: 749-0355.
Dentists:
- Angels Dental Care, Angels Plaza. Tel.: 602-5757. Open: Office hours: Mon - Thu 9 a.m. - 8 p.m., Fri Sat 12 a.m. - 8 p.m., Sun 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Pharmacies:
- Mainland Family Pharmacy, at the Super Home Center, 8 March Pen Road. Tel.: 989-6146.
- St. Jago Pharmacy, 7 Bourkes Road. Tel.: 984-5781, Fax: 749-4003. Open: Mon - Sat 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., Sun 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Practical advice
Banks:
- National Commercial Bank, Caymanas, Gregory Park. ATM.
- National Commercial Bank, Hi-Lo Supermarket, L O J Plaza, 17 Bourkes Road. ATM.
- National Commercial Bank, Jampet Service Station, 48 Brunswick Avenue. ATM.
- Scotiabank, Oasis Shopping Plaza, 6 March Pen Road. Tel.: 984-3024-26.
Internet café:
Post Office:
- Post office, King Street / Adelaide Street. Tel.: 984-2082.
trips
- Bog Walk Gorge. From the Spaniards Boca de Agua called. This 5 km long stretch of road north of Spanish Town, built right next to the Rio Cobre River, is temporarily closed during floods. On the right and left, the rocks protrude up to 50 m vertically upwards. In the lower area, the Flat Bridge crosses the river, 1½ km before the exit of the gorge. This is a narrow, single lane concrete bridge with no side railings. The first road was built here in 1770.
- Knolford Polo and Tennis Ranch, Riversdale. Tel.: 929-5462. 15 rooms. Room for US $ 300 with full board, polo and tennis lessons, pool, conference room, 25 km north of Spanish Town on the Rio D'oro River.
- Serenity Wildlife Park & Zoo. Tel.: 983-8607, 708-5515. This 20 hectare leisure facility is located in Spring Village near Gutters, next to the main road to Mandeville. You can go horse riding, paddle boating, fishing and bird watching. There is a mini zoo, picnic area and restaurant.Open: Thu - Sun 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
literature
Web links
- http://www.spanishtownjamaica.com/ - Official website of Spanish Town
