Fort Charles

Service Description

Fort Charles Formerly known as Fort Cornwell was the first fort to be erected in Port Royal. Its construction started soon after the invasion of Jamaica in 1655. This Fort is still considered to be the oldest surviving monument of the British occupation of Jamaica. In 1662 Fort Cromwell was renamed Fort Charles in honour of the restored king of England, Charles II, who came to the throne in 1660. Originally, Fort Charles was almost entirely surrounded by water and was constructed somewhat like an 18th-centry floating castle with a simple tower. It was intended to protect the entry to the harbour.