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Wonders of Saint Helena

Jamestown, Saint Helena
Jamestown / Andrew Neaum, Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

WorldBlue  Highlights

Saint Helena is a part of the British Overseas Territory – area under the jurisdiction of the United Kingdom. This island is located in the Atlantic Ocean and is one of the most remote islands in the world.

This small island has an amazing array of landmarks – well preserved historical town and fortress, unique forest with unique plants, desert with unique, giant insects. Saint Helena was the last home for one of the most famous personalities in world history – Napoleon.

Map with the described wonders

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WorldViolet Top 15 wonders of Saint Helena

Geological wonders

Heart Shaped Waterfall

Approximately 100 m tall waterfall, plunging down from heart-shaped cliff.

Lot and Lot’s Wife

Two rock stacks, phonolitic intrusions that are more resistant to erosion than the surrounding rock.

Biological wonders

Diana’s Peak National Park

One of the last remnants of natural St.Helena tree fern thicket – a unique biotope formed over millions of years on one of the most isolated islands of the world. Contains numerous endemic plant and animal species, including interesting tree species.

The unique Saint Helena forest, cabbage tree in the forefront
The unique Saint Helena forest, cabbage tree in the forefront / Dan Fulwiler, Wikimedia Commons / public domain
High Peak fern thicket

Another remnant of relict tropical forest from the Miocene. In spite of its small size, this small patch of forest contains several species of invertebrates that have not been found anywhere else.

Prosperous Bay Plain

Desert-like area, comparatively plain. This 2.25 km² large area has an exceptionally high number of endemic invertebrates that live only here – some 35 – 40 species. Here live or recently lived several giant insects – such as the Saint Helena giant earwig, and Saint Helena giant beetle.

Architecture wonders

Jamestown

British colonial town with well-preserved historical architecture. It is located in a magnificent natural setting: a deep ravine. Founded in 1659. The town is stretched along a narrow ravine. Many buildings are built of local volcanic rock.

Napoleon’s Tomb

The site where the famous French emperor was buried in 1821 – 1840.

Plantation House

The official residence of the Governor of Saint Helena. It was constructed in 1791 – 1792 and extended in 1816. at this house lives the world’s oldest known tortoise Jonathan, born around 1832.

Saint Paul’s Cathedral in Saint Helena

Cathedral church, built in 1850 – 1851, became a cathedral in 1859.

Saint James Church in Jamestown

The oldest Anglican church in the Southern Hemisphere, the current structure was built in 1774.

Saint James Church, Saint Helena
Saint James Church / Peter Neaum, Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
Longwood House

Residence of Napoleon Bonaparte during his exile in 1815 – 1821. Former summer residence of the Lieutenant Governor. House has been almost completely rebuilt since the times of Napoleon. Now – museum.

High Knoll Fort

Hilltop fortification that originally was built in 1799. The current structure was built in 1874. The most impressive and best preserved fortification on the island.

Saint John’s Church in Jamestown

Historical church, built in 1862.

The Castle (Saint Helena)

The first fortification on the island. Its construction started in 1659 but the oldest parts of the current structure are from 1710, largely rebuilt in the 1860s. Now serves for administrative purposes.

Jacob’s Ladder

Impressive staircase in the site of inclined-plane cableway that originally was built in 1829. The staircase has 699 steps, it rises 183 m high.

Jacob's Ladder, Saint Helena
Jacob’s Ladder / Deusdixital, Wikimedia Commons / public domain

WorldYellow Recommended books

The Emperor’s Last Island: A Journey to St. Helena


In 1814 Napoleon Bonaparte arrived on St. Helena for a surreal exile that would last until his death six years later. “A resonant meditation on exile, fame, the stories we tell about ourselves (and) the bigger stories we tell about our great figures.”

Island Saint Helena: British Overseas


With a Georgian town, rugged coastlines, giant salt rocks, sandy bays, and unique wildlife, Saint Helena is a piece of paradise in the middle of the Southern Atlantic. It’s not only about the destination… there’s so much to learn. Formerly, there was one way (RMS charter cruise) to commute to this isolated island to uncover one of the world’s best-kept travel secrets: the last home and mysterious death of the French Emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte.


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