Port Royal
Palisadoes Peninsula

Once a wild hedonistic pirates’ den (Hedonism II and III weren’t the first to fill those shoes on this island!), Port Antonio’s rollicking fun came to a halt on June 7, 1692, when a violent earthquake shook the region and pushed Port Royal into the sea. The city became the only sunken city in the Western hemisphere and has been nicknamed the “Pompeii of the Caribbean.”

Before, Port Royal had been called "the wickedest city in Christendom." This was a hangout for, literally, the pirates of the Caribbean.

Today archaeologists have recovered artifacts from the scandalous community and today shoppers can buy reproductions of Port Royal pewter plates and cups from Things Jamaican.

The top attraction is Fort Charles. Built in 1662, this is the oldest building in Port Royal and is from the days of British occupation. One of the fort's most unusual buildings is Giddy House (right), tilted by an earthquake in 1907. Today visitors can walk in Giddy House and feel, well, giddy because of the steep tilt.

The fort is also home to the Fort Charles Maritime Museum. You'll find this museum in the former headquarters for the British Royal Navy where Admiral Horatio Nelson once served as a naval lieutenant in 1779. Today the small museum includes a recreation of Nelson's private quarters as well as other artifacts from the era, including models of various sailing vessels.

Also in Port Royal, have a look at St. Peter's Church, built to replace a church lost in the 1692 earthquake. The church includes a silver communion service that is believed to have been donated by Sir Henry Morgan (pirate and later governor of Jamaica) but its most interesting feature is a grave located just outside. The tombstone of Lewis Galdy tells the story of how this man was "swallowed up in the Great Earthquake in the year 1692 and by the providence of God was by another shock thrown into the sea and miraculously saved by swimming until a boat took him up. He lived many years after in great reputation. Beloved by all and much lamented at his Death."

Plans have long been underway for development in Port Royal to once again focus attention on the history of this area. Plans call for protection of the offshore cays, development of an historic interpretive master plan, construction of a cruise ship pier and arrival center, and especially the restoration of many historic buildings such as Fort Charles, the Old Naval Hospital, Victoria and Albert Battery, and more.

For today, however, Port Royal is a quiet stop, just a small fishing village located past the airport. If you're here at lunch, don't miss Gloria's fish shack. Here you can sit on picnic tables under awning and enjoy fish: escoveitch, fried, or steamed.