Queen's Staircase and Fort Fincastle

The Queen's Staircase in Nassau is one of the most popular tourist sites in the Bahamas, dating back to the late 1800s. The stairs were later named after Queen Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, who abolished slavery in the British Empire in the nineteenth century. By chance, the number of stairs equals the number of years of Victoria's reign. The 65 steps of the staircase, carved from solid limestone, serve as a "testament to the devastating force of slave labor." It took decades for the Queen's Staircase to be given a name. It was named after Queen Victoria's 65-year reign, during which she issued a statement abolishing slavery upon her accession to the throne in 1837.

One of the Bahamas' smallest forts is located in the center of downtown Nassau. To defend Nassau from pirates, Fort Fincastle was erected from cut limestone atop Bennett's Hill. The Queen's Staircase, a 66-step stairway hewn from solid rock by slaves to connect the fort to the city, is one of the most remarkable structures near the fort and historic complex. As you ascend up the stairs to the fort, you'll be rewarded with a spectacular view over the city and the coastline. You'll notice there are only 65 stairs if you count them; this is because the final step is buried beneath the contemporary asphalt pavement at the bottom.

The Queen's Staircase connects the center of downtown Nassau with Fort Fincastle, which was constructed in 1793. The fort, which was shaped like the bow of a ship, acted as a lookout post for pirates as well as a lighthouse.

Location: 3MF6+6WQ, Elisabeth Ave, Nassau, Bahamas