Fort Christiansvaern
Fort Christiansvaern
4.3
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An imposing yellow Danish fort built to defend the Christiansted harbor.
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4.3
858 reviews
Excellent
391
Very good
343
Average
110
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9
Terrible
5
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Andrew M
7,580 contributions
July 2024 • Solo
The Fort in Christansted is a must see for visitors. It is at the far end of the historic center, and has an access charge of US$10. It was constructed in 1749, but partially destroyed by a hurricane and restored in 1771. It is in the best condition of all forts in the Virgin Islands. The fort never had to defend the town, and was decommissioned in 1878. It has been in public use since until recognized as a national historic site in 1952.
Although there was a notice board at the entrance stating the admission fee, there was nobody to collect this fee, so I wandered around for 10 minutes on a self guided tour. There are section which are inaccessible due to restoration work, but the dungeon, cannons and great views from the top are worth the trip here.
Other nearby attractions include the Customs House, Scale House, D Hamilton Jackson bust and the Steeple building.
Although there was a notice board at the entrance stating the admission fee, there was nobody to collect this fee, so I wandered around for 10 minutes on a self guided tour. There are section which are inaccessible due to restoration work, but the dungeon, cannons and great views from the top are worth the trip here.
Other nearby attractions include the Customs House, Scale House, D Hamilton Jackson bust and the Steeple building.
Written 4 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barbara B
Safford, AZ18 contributions
Nov 2022
The history of St. Croix USVI is terrible to say the least but the people have persevered. I would highly recommend reading Notes Of A Crucian Son by Richard A. Schrader, Sr, I read it while we were visiting the Island. He gives life and character to the Island and a way to see it through someone who grew up there.
Written 17 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
msadvisor
Cincinnati, OH64 contributions
Oct 2022
Family of 5 (11, 8, 5) all enjoyed this. You can see canons, cannonballs, prisoner cells, etc. Kids thought it was fun. No one was there to take payment but it's $10 for adults and free for children. We really liked it a lot.
Written 26 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joseph L
2 contributions
Feb 2025 • Couples
Here’s a refined version of your review with improved clarity and flow:
Not Worth the Tour – Take a Taxi Instead
Save your money and take a taxi! The $10 entrance fee is all you need to explore this site properly. When we got off the ship, we were put on a bus with no guide—no explanations, no commentary, nothing. Once we arrived, we were taken on a brief tour of the fort, which was interesting but far too short. The tour was advertised as two hours, but in reality, it felt like just a few minutes of actual guided exploration.
If you enjoy wandering and discovering things at your own pace, this tour won’t be for you. I’d recommend skipping the group tour, taking a cab, and paying the entry fee yourself. That way, you can explore without being rushed. While our guide was very knowledgeable, the experience just wasn’t engaging or well-organized.
Would not recommend the tour—just go on your own!
Does this match the tone and points you wanted to highlight?
Not Worth the Tour – Take a Taxi Instead
Save your money and take a taxi! The $10 entrance fee is all you need to explore this site properly. When we got off the ship, we were put on a bus with no guide—no explanations, no commentary, nothing. Once we arrived, we were taken on a brief tour of the fort, which was interesting but far too short. The tour was advertised as two hours, but in reality, it felt like just a few minutes of actual guided exploration.
If you enjoy wandering and discovering things at your own pace, this tour won’t be for you. I’d recommend skipping the group tour, taking a cab, and paying the entry fee yourself. That way, you can explore without being rushed. While our guide was very knowledgeable, the experience just wasn’t engaging or well-organized.
Would not recommend the tour—just go on your own!
Does this match the tone and points you wanted to highlight?
Written 19 February 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
danish14
Aarhus, Denmark101 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
Visited the fort on a Saturday. There was free admission, even though it was supposed to cost $10. I think it is because the fort was half closed due to renovation.
The fort is the most well maintained of the 3 forts on the islands.
I don't think there was much to follow, but it was interesting to see and hear the boards and video about the transfer of the islands.
The fort is the most well maintained of the 3 forts on the islands.
I don't think there was much to follow, but it was interesting to see and hear the boards and video about the transfer of the islands.
Written 13 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lisa W
Arlington, TX4 contributions
Jan 2022
The fort is right at the boardwalk and has parking so definitely check it out. It has information about the fort, the Crucian people and all the countries that made up St Croix history. Any history buff will enjoy it. You get to go down to the dungeon and up by the cannons. Great place to take pictures of the boardwalk, water and boats at mooring. There is a small island , Protestant Cay, across the water that has a hotel on it.
Written 4 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Snowybears
Locust Grove, VA438 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
I will say that it's a very small fort but in a beautiful location. If you are visiting the island off a cruise ship, may I suggest just getting a cab from the pier instead of an excursion from the boat. You will save a lot. You can walk from the fort into the town, do a little shopping and have lunch right one the water.
Written 21 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LLoomis319
Rushville, NY32 contributions
Mar 2020
We visited on a day when lots of painting was being done to refresh the outside of the fort. But there were many exhibits to view on a self-guided tour, and the Park Ranger shared a wealth of information about the island, the old sugar cane industry and other sights we might want to visit. We do love the National Park Service, and used our park pass.
Written 23 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carolina G
Jacksonville, FL13 contributions
Nov 2020
Due to COVID-19 the Fort was officially closed, but there was a Ranger walking the grounds several times a day. I finally got the courage to approach the Ranger on the third or fourth day. While he couldn't allow me inside the Fort, but he did share a bunch of stories of the history of the island and the importance the Fort has played in history. The Ranger peaked my interest so much that I ended up going back to my hotel and did some follow up research. I'll definitely be visiting St. Croix again and probably often. I loved everything about my visit.
Written 20 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lucsimsthomas
San Antonio, TX411 contributions
June 2023
We stopped by this fort as part of a self-guided historic walking tour and walked through on our way to other points of interest. The views from the highest point of the fort are just beautiful. There are plenty of sign to guide you as you take in the many uses the fort once had.
It's a national historic site and the oldest structure on St. Croix and It's a great way to absorb some of the island's history.
It's a national historic site and the oldest structure on St. Croix and It's a great way to absorb some of the island's history.
Written 22 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is it free? No entrance fee?
Written 30 September 2016
There is an entrance fee but it's good for 3 days so you can go back more than once.
Written 10 October 2016
Is this fort the prison where Alexander Hamilton's mother was held for 4 months in 1750?
Written 24 April 2016
Yes, the story is in the Fort, and there is information also on a wall in the customs building across the street, where the information booth is. Quite an interesting story of young Alexander Hamilton! Much of the story told in the Broadway musical.
Written 25 April 2016
Hej er der nogen der kender en dansk guide på St. Croix da vi skal have mine forældre med i marts måned og de forstår ikke engelsk. Så det ville være en stor hjælp for dem hvis det var en rundvisning på dansk.
Written 24 January 2016
Vi fandt ikke nogen dansk guide men når man skal ind og se fortet så får man udleveret dansk guide seddel der fortæller det hele :) ellers så ville jeg anbefale at købe en god dansk guide (turen går til eks) og tage på en god rundtur selv. Det er ret nemt at finde rundt dernede :)
Written 25 January 2016
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