Looka de view
Sight Seeing
Bridgetown
SelfGuided
WalkingTour
The
Independence
Arch
This Bridgetown monument
was built in 1987, at
the southern end of the
Chamberlin Bridge to mark
the island’s 21st year of
independence. Barbados
was regarded as a British
colony until November
30th, 1966 when it gained
political independence. As
such, the Independence
Arch has several symbols
of Barbados’ heritage and
culture designed into it.
The top of the arch - The
Coat of Arms bears the
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national motto: ‘Pride and
Industry’.
Along the two sides Four national symbols: the
broken trident (symbolizing
the break away from
Britain), the dolphin (for
Barbados’ fishing industry),
the pelican (for Pelican
Island), and the Pride-ofBarbados (the national
flower).
At the base of the arch Barbados’ National Pledge.
On each side – A picture
of the Father of the Nation,
the late Right Excellent Errol
Walton Barrow. (The island’s
first Prime Minister)
Independence Square
Independence Square is a ‘waterpark’,
located on the Careenage waterfront,
just east of the Independence Arch. It is a
peaceful place to relax; an oasis of calm amidst
the hustle and bustle of the city. There are
two large fountains, an amphitheater, glazed
walls, sculptured seats, paving mosaics and
bathroom facilities; its architecture is said to
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St. Mary’s Church
Built in 1825, St. Mary’s Church was
constructed on the grounds of the,
then, St. Michael’s Parish Church. St. Michael’s,
then a wooden church, was to be relocated,
but was destroyed by a hurricane in 1780,
before this could occur. It would be another
forty-five years before St. Mary’s Church was
actually constructed on the site (the second
oldest piece of consecrated land in Barbados).
This location is ripe with history: their majestic,
silk, cotton tree was once known as the ‘Justice
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be a modern spin on colonial days. Formerly
a car park, it is now landscaped with plants,
trees, and benches. A main feature of this
square is the 9ft Statue of the Right Excellent
Errol Walton Barrow, who was the first Prime
Minister of Barbados, National Hero and Father
of Barbados’ Independence. Acts such as Diana
Ross and the Supremes performed here in
1966 to celebrate Barbados’ independence.
Tree’ and was used for public hangings. A
former Governor of Barbados, William Tufton,
was said to have been shot under Justice Tree
on allegedly fabricated charges by his predecessor. And within the graveyard lies Samuel
Jackson Prescod, a National Hero and the first
non-white person to be elected to the national
parliament.
The brick, Gregorian styled, Anglican Church,
features a jalousied south porch, a barrelvaulted ceiling, a large red roof, and a century
old clock which is attached to the church tower.
Provided by the Barbados Tourism Authority
60 | Caribbean Dreams