Fort Fincastle, Nassau, Bahamas

March 16, 2025 5:33pm

Most people don't usually associate forts with the Bahamas. But the Bahamas used to be part of the British Empire. And that empire was protected by warships and forts. The Bahamas was a prime location from which to protect commerce of the New World. The capital island of Nassau erected not one, but three fortresses on its small but mighty hills to defend the bustling business hub from pirates and foreign raiders.

The most interesting of the three forts is Fort Fincastle. It was constructed in 1793 and was named by Lord Dunmore after his second title of "Viscount Fincastle." Its location and extensive cannons were specifically purposed to defend against the Spanish.

Its most unique aspect is the unusual shape of a paddle steamer. With a circular courtyard and a triangular battery, this unusual design is easily viewed from the ground. Its location on Bennet Hill, the highest point in Nassau, still offers spectacular long-distance views of the areas it was once built to defend, including Paradise Island and the eastern approach to New Providence.

A second unique feature of Fort Fincastle is its access by the Queen’s Staircase. Carved out of a limestone wall by slaves, the steep 66 steps climb 102 feet from Elizabeth Avenue to the fort. The stairs were originally designed and built to provide a protected walkway between the fort and the town. An easy walk from the cruise port, visitors who venture into town and climb to the top of the fort will be rewarded with a better visual understanding of the topography of the islands as well as the varied architectural influences common in port cities of the era.