Barbados Monuments by Parish
St. James
The Cubana Monument
This was erected in 1998 in honour and remembrance of the 73 persons who died on board the Air Cubana Flight CU 455, that was bombed in 1976, a mere eight minutes after it left the Grantley Adams International Airport in Barbados. The passengers were primarily Cuban but were also made up of a few Guyanese and North Koreans. The victims are remembered every year on October 6th at this monument.
The Holetown Monument
This monument was erected to commemorate the first settlement in Barbados in 1625 by Englishman Captain John Powell. However, the monument really states that this happened in 1605! To correct this mistake, a plaque was placed in the base of the monument, depicting the correct date of the settlement. This monument is usually the location for the opening celebrations for the Holetown Festival in February.
St. John
Ferdinando Paleologus Tomb
Located on the grounds of the St. John Parish Church, this is the tomb of Ferdinando Paleologus, a church warden who was well respected and prominent in the St. John community.
St. George
Lion at Gun Hill
Perched 7 feet tall and 700 feet above sea level on Gun Hill Cliff in St. George, this monument was carved from a single rock by Captain Henry Wilkinson (an officer at the Gun Hill Signal Station) and four military labourers in 1868.
St. Thomas
Rock Hall Freedom Monument
This monument is located in the first free village established by ex-slaves of Barbados, Rock Hall. Unveiled in 2005, the monument represents freedom and was erected in honour of a family of three freed ex-slaves from the Rock Hall village.
The Williams’ Vault
Built in 1660, this vault has housed the remains of the Williams family for over 300 years. It has been regularly associated with supernatural activity. Legend has it that the Catholic daughter-in-law of the Williams’ patriarch, General William Asygell Williams, was placed in the vault with the other family members. However, the son and his wife did not share the same religious denomination (he was Protestant; she was Catholic) and it is believed the family was at war with the wife because they viewed the marriage as unequally yoked. Interestingly, when she was removed from the vault, there were no more reports of supernatural activity.
St. Michael
37th Regiment of Foot War Memorial Monument (located in the Garrison Historic Area)
This monument was erected in the memory of the fallen British soldiers who died during 1809 and 1810 in battle.
The 3Ws Monument (Located at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus)
Unveiled in 2003, this monument was erected in honour of Sir Frank Worrell, Sir Clyde Walcott and Sir Everton Weeks – three cricketing legends from Barbados, for their contribution to the game locally, regionally and internationally. It depicts the busts of the trio mounted on a giant ‘W’.
The Cenotaph (Located in National Heroes Square)
Erected in 1925 to commemorate the lives of the persons who died during the first World War, this historic monument also features the names of those Barbadians who died in both wars. A service is held here on Remembrance Day annually to remember those persons who served in the war.
Dolphin Fountain and Monument (Located in National Heroes Square)
This is also known as Dolphin Gardens or Fountain Gardens and was unveiled in 1865 to commemorate the first piped water in Bridgetown in 1861.
Hurricane 1832 Soldier Memorial Monument (located in the Garrison Historic Area)
This monument was erected to commemorate the memory of the soldiers of the 36th regiment who were killed during the hurricane of 1831.
Independence Arch
Erected in Bridgetown in 1987 in commemoration of Barbados’ 21st anniversary of independence, this symbolic monument displays all of the National Emblems of Barbados (the Pledge, the National Anthem, the Coat of Arms, the National Flag, the National Flower, the Broken Trident, , the Dolphin and the Pelican). Each side of the arch has a painting of the father of Independence, the Right Excellent Errol Walton Barrow.
Montefiore Fountain
Interestingly, although this fountain was used as a drinking fountain in 1865 when it was first donated to Bridgetown by Jewish businessman John Montefiore, it has no running water attached to it currently. On the monument, each marble statue represents four ideals: justice, fortitude, temperance and prudence.
Sir Frank Walcott Statue
Located outside the Sir Frank Walcott building this was erected to commemorate the life of one of Barbados’ National Heroes, Sir Frank Walcott, who was instrumental in creating a better life for members of the working class and also instrumental in the trade union movement.
Sir Frank Worrell Bust
Unveiled in 2002 on the grounds of the Combermere School., this bust was erected in honour of the man who made a significant contribution to cricket. He was one of the 3Ws who were integral to West Indies cricket in the 20th century. The monument has the theme “Emulate to Stimulate”.
Sir Garfield Sobers Statue
This statue was erected fittingly outside of Kensington Oval in celebration of the life of one of the greatest cricketers to ever grace the sport and the only living National Hero of Barbados.
Sir Grantley Adams Statue
Depicting another one of our National Heroes, this statue was erected in 1999 in celebration of the life and accomplishments of Sir Grantley Adams. The statue is located outside of the government headquarters, quite fittingly as he was the first Prime Minister of Barbados and the only Prime Minister of the West Indies Federation.
Sir William Conrad Reeves Bust
Stands at the main entrance to the house of assembly and was erected in honour of the achievements and service of this lawyer to the legal system of Barbados. Sir William was the parliamentary representative for St. Joseph in his time and was later appointed Chief Justice of Barbados.
The Dauntless Tomb Memorial
In 1852, the Dauntless set sail from the US Virgin Islands to Barbados, where 83 members of the crew died from yellow fever. This memorial is used to honour the lives of those who died on the ship; the marble tomb was provided by the Royal Navy to serve as the location for the remains of 15 officers of the ship and the captain’s steward.
The Emancipation Statue (also known as The Bussa Statue)
Erected in 1985 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the abolition of slavery and the emancipation of Barbados from slavery, this statue depicts a rebel Barbadian slave, Bussa, breaking free of his chains, symbolic Barbados’ break away from slavery. Every year on Emancipation day (August 1st), many Barbadians march through various streets towards the statue.
The Errol Barrow Statue
Standing at 9ft tall, this monument is located in Independence Square, Bridgetown and was erected in honour of its namesake for his stellar contribution to the political, social, educational and physical development of Barbados. He was also the first prime minister of an independent Barbados. This statue was unveiled on Errol Barrow Day (Jan 21), 2007.
The Lord Nelson Statue
Located opposite the Parliament Buildings in Bridgetown, this monument was erected in 1813 in honour of Admiral Lord Nelson. Lord Nelson was regarded as a hero by various locals in his day for his battles against the French who at the time controlled other islands in the Caribbean.
Christ Church
The Chase Vault
Belongs to a wealthy plantation family, the Chases, and was built partially underground in 1724. It was never used until the Chase family came into possession of it. After its first burial few burials, it was said that every time the vault was opened, it was often found to be in disarray. This continued from around 1790 to 1820. Investigations of the vault were conducted to see what could be the cause of the internal mess. However, since nothing ever came of this, those buried in the Chase Vault were given burials at other locations.
St. Phillip
Grand Jete Statue
Located in the gardens of the Crane Resort, this is a statue of British ballet dancer David Wall and was donated to the Crane in 1981
Article of Caribbean Dreams Magazine
