Fort Christiansvaern

Fort Christiansvaern played a vital role in Christiansted’s international trade. Built at harbor’s edge to protect commercial shipping from pirates and privateers, the fort embodied colonists’ fears as well as economic strength. Danish troops were quartered here, and their primary duty was internal security to safeguard the island against slave insurrections. Completed in 1749, the fort was named Christiansvaern (“Christian’s Defense”) in honor of King Christian VI of Denmark-Norway. This masonry fort replaced an earlier earthwork fortification destroyed by hurricane in 1738.

Saint Croix