Bermuda

Bermuda - map

 

Wikipedia article about Bermuda

 

Main attractions

The small islands of Bermuda are rich with natural and man made attractions. Highlights of Bermuda are:

• Anchialine caves - these small islands are criscrossed with more than 150 caves, rich with endemic species of invertebrates and adorned with countless stalactites, stalagmites and many more exotic speleothems. Caves formed at lower sea level and now many are below sea level.
• Historical houses - some of the oldest English built houses in the New World are located in Bermuda. The oldest is government office - the Old State House, constructed in 1620. In Bermuda developed a specific style of architecture, adjusted to local weather conditions and available materials, such as the fragrant and beautiful Bermuda cedar.

Natural landmarks

Caves

The number and beauty of caves in Bermuda is surprising. On those small islands are located more than 150 caves, most of them truly beautiful, with numerous species of cave organisms which are not found anywhere else in the world.

• Admiral's Cave - Hamilton. Impressive, some 500 m long cave, which contains some of the best and most complete Ice Age deposits in the world, which has also interesting fossil bird remnants.
• Crystal Cave - Hamilton. The best known cave in Bermuda, accidentally discovered in 1905, while searching for a lost cricket ball. Approximately 500 m long. This spectacular, partly inundated cave is rich with stalactites and stalagmites. Next to it is another cave of similar beauty - Fantasy Cave.
• Devil's Hole - Smith's Parish. Up to 23 m deep, water filled sinkhole, which has formed in a corner of lagoon - Harrington Sound. Sinkhole though is fed by ocean through an underground estuary. At low water level the hole may emit moaning sounds. Devil's Hole is natural aquarium, teeming with marine life.
• Green Bay Cave - Hamilton. A cave with its entrance below the water level, the longest known cave in Bermuda with more than 2 km long passages. Part of cave passages is above the water, with impressive stalactites and stalagmites. Endemic species of cave organisms.
• Walsingham Caves - Hamilton. Partly submerged, some 200 m long cave with a huge number of endemic cave organisms found exclusively in this cave.
• Wilkinson Quarry Cave - Hamilton. Recently discovered cave with some of the most unusual and beautiful speleothems in Bermuda. Contains many unique species of cave dwelling invertebrates.

Other natural landmarks

• Paget Marsh - Paget Parish. The last stand of the original thickets of Bermuda. Forest contains some of the last wild groves of Bermuda cedar (Juniperus bermudiana) and Bermuda palmetto (Sabal bermudana). Here live also the endemic birds of Bermuda.

Man made landmarks

Fortifications

• Castle Islands Fortifications - St. George. Fortifications on several small islands, the oldest surviving English fortifications in the New World. Developed since 1609.
• Fort St. Catherine - St. George. The site of the first building in Bermuda - in 1612 here was constructed a wooden fort. Since then it has been rebuilt and extended many times, for most part in the late 19th century.

Churches

• Bermuda Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity - Hamilton. Beautiful Neo-Gothic building, constructed in 1886 - 1911.
• St. Peter's Church - St. George. The oldest Anglican church outside the British Isles. Originally built in 1620, but the church has much suffered in storms and has been almost completely rebuilt in the later times.

Government offices

• Old State House - St. George. The old parliament building of Bermuda, constructed in 1620. The first stone building in Bermuda after fortifications. Since 1815 here operates Free Masonic Lodge.
• Sessions House - Hamilton. Large parliament building, constructed in 1819 in Neo-Renaissance style. The massive clock tower was added in 1887.

Historical houses

• Bermuda National Trust Museum (The Globe Hotel) - St. George's. Museum in one of the oldest stone buildings in Bermuda, built circa 1700. Museum informs about the times of American Civil War, when Bermuda was staging post in supply of Confederates.
• Camden House - Paget Parish. Official residence of Bermuda's Premier, a historical house built in the first half of 18th century. Contains rich and beautiful collection of Bermuda cedar furniture.
• Carter House - St. George. Very old house, built circa 1640, today serves as a museum.
• Tucker House Museum - St. George. Merchant's house, built in the middle of 18th century. Contains valuable collection of historical furniture.
• Verdmont Museum - Smith's Parish. Georgian mansion, built circa 1710. This historical building was preserved its authenticity and the best historical furnishings of Bermuda cedar.
• Waterville - Paget Parish. One of the oldest houses in Bermuda, built circa 1725. In the 19th century the first floor was one of the best known stores in Bermuda. Valuable historical furniture.

Other man made landmarks

• Bermuda Botanical Gardens - Paget Parish. This 14.6 ha large garden was opened in 1898 and provides many beautiful views. Contains rich collection of plants, including the endemic Bermuda plants. Now this is the only place, where f.e. Governor Laffan's Fern (Diplazium laffanianum) is growing.
• Gibbs Hill Lighthouse - Southampton Parish. The oldest cast iron lighthouse in the world, 35.7 m high. Constructed in 1844.
• Somerset Bridge - Sandys Parish. Possibly the smallest drawbridge in the world, originally built in 1620. This wooden bridge is barely wide enough to permit the mast of a sailboat to pass throuogh.
• St. George - St. George. The historical capital of Bermuda, this town was settled in 1612. Town has preserved its historical buildings and much attention is paid to retain the authenticity of this urban planning monument.