Port Of Spain: City History, Art and Green Spaces
Accommodation in Port Of Spain
Port Of Spain combines city history and art with spacious green areas. If you are considering a holiday rental for your stay, these interests may influence your choice of destination: would you like to focus primarily on historic buildings, local art, events or open landscapes?
Open Green Spaces and Architectural History
Queen's Park Savannah is Port Of Spain's largest open green space. It covers approximately 260 acres (110 ha) of flat, short-grass terrain and has a perimeter of about two miles. The Royal Botanic Gardens lie to its north. Established in 1818, they are home to 700 tree species, a butterfly garden and the historic burial site of a governor. The Savannah offers extensive, short-grass terrain; the gardens provide a different focus with their botanical diversity.
The historic mansions of the Magnificent Seven lie around Queen's Park Savannah: Ambard's House / Roomor, Archbishop's Palace, Hayes Court, Killarney (Stollmeyer's Castle), Mille Fleurs, Queen's Royal College and Whitehall (Rosenweg). The group brings several named buildings together under a shared theme and offers a concrete introduction to the city's historic architecture.
Woodford Square forms the centre of the Woodford Square Heritage District, the country's only Heritage District approved by the Cabinet. The square was originally called Brusnwick Square and was renamed Woodford Square in 1914. For travellers who enjoy exploring history through named places and their development, both the district and the square's former name are of interest.
Museums, Heritage and Art
The National Museum and Art Gallery of Trinidad and Tobago is located in the Royal Victorian Institute, one of the oldest buildings in Port Of Spain. Fort San Andres is the last surviving fortification from the Spanish occupation and a testament to Spanish colonial heritage. The museum, Heritage District and fort represent different historical themes: a museum in an old building, a square at the centre of a heritage area, and the history of Spanish occupation.
In the basement of the Red House, the Rotunda Gallery displays works by local artists for public viewing; admission is free. Check the current visitor arrangements before your visit. The gallery complements the historical themes with art by local artists.
The Brian Lara Promenade hosts free open-air concerts, film festivals, celebration ceremonies and craft exhibitions. If a particular event is important to your travel plans, check the date in advance.
Trinidad and Tobago in a Wider Context
Trinidad and Tobago is an archipelagic state in the southern Caribbean, northeast of Venezuela and south of Grenada. The country covers 5,128 square kilometres and consists of the two main islands of Trinidad and Tobago, as well as 21 smaller islands. Trinidad is the larger and more populous of the two main islands. This geographical overview describes the broader destination and places Port Of Spain in the wider island context.
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