History
Danish colony in Caribbean was established in the 17th century, initially on St. Thomas and St. John. The larger St. Croix island was purchased by Danes from French in 1733.
Initially the island was owned by the Danish West India & Guinea Company.
The location of the future capital of the island – was selected by Frederik Moth, who fired a salute from the former French fortification in 1734. This site in fact was selected by French several decades earlier – in 1665 and named simply – Bassin ("the harbor").
Now the town was named Christiansted – after the Danish king Christian VI.
Moth elaborated a plan for the city – this was a true Baroque town plan with rectangular city blocks and strict building codex, which was approved in 1747. First was built a fort – Fort Christian (1738), then appeared other buildings – the Danish West India & Guinea Company Warehouse (1749), the Steeple Building (1753).
Most of the work was done by black people, imported by Danes from Africa. Island and Christiansted were a true melting pot of different races and cultures.
Moth became the first governor of the island. He divided the land in plantations and sold it cheaply to settlers. Christiansted was the capital of Danish West Indies in 1754 – 1871.
Development was slow initially – there were applied excessive taxes and strict limits on trade, e.g. exclusively Danish ships were allowed to enter the ports.
In 1755 the island was purchased by Danish crown and "golden times" of St. Croix started. Danish trade ships brought black slaves from Guinea and then brought sugar and rum from plantations to Europe (later – to United States).
Christiansted flourished, higher society in the city had exuberant, extravagant life style.
These golden times lasted until the Napoleonic times, when sugar production from beet was mastered. This and other factors led to a decline and Christiansted became poorer and poorer.
Gradually the influence of the United States increased and in 1916 – 1917 islands were sold to the USA.
Today Christiansted is a small town with some 3000 inhabitants, it is charming tourist destination.
Planning and architecture
Christiansted represents a unique blend of Danish – Northern European and black African style in architecture, planning and decoration.
Town is characterised by its Baroque grid pattern planning and mostly Neo-Classical architecture. Its stone buildings are painted in pastel (mostly – yellow) colors and have red tiled roofs.
Town has arcaded sidewalks, cobblestone walkways. Christiansted has two marketplaces. There are numerous historical buildings – Fort Christian (1738), the Danish West India & Guinea Company Warehouse (1749), the Steeple Building (1753), Danish Custom House (1844), the Scale House (1856) and other buildings.
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| Coordinates: | 17.7469 N 64.7030 W |
| Categories: | Cities and towns |
| Values: | Architecture, Visual, History |
| Rank: | 7 |
| Address: | North America, Caribbean, United States Virgin Islands, northern coast of Saint Croix Island |
| Founded: | 1735 (1773) |
| Period of flourishing: | 1770 – 1800 |
| Area of the historical centre: | ˜ 11 ha |
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Recommended books
Moon U.S. & British Virgin Islands
Virgin Islands resident Susanna Henighan Potter offers firsthand knowledge of everything this paradise has to offer, from St. Croix to St. Thomas and Tortola. Potter guides readers to the most thrilling hikes in St. John’s Virgin Islands National Park, the best snorkeling spots in Cruz Bay, and the most exciting carnivals and festivals on Virgin Gorda.
A History of the Virgin Islands of the United States
A history of the Virgin Islands of the United States is the story of waves of immigrants, of the long span of slavery and exploitation-punctuated by black uprisings-of missionaries and colonial change, the decline of trade and the upsurge of tourism.
