Spanish Town
The island's capital for three centuries, with a Georgian square of remarkable quality and the oldest Anglican cathedral outside England.
Updated 19 October 2026
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Founded by the Spanish as Villa de la Vega and taken by the English in 1655, Spanish Town was the capital of Jamaica until 1872, and its central square is the best piece of Georgian civic architecture in the Caribbean: the Old House of Assembly on one side, the ruined King's House on another, the courthouse on a third and, on the fourth, a domed memorial to Admiral Rodney standing in a colonnade. The cathedral of St James, rebuilt after the 1712 hurricane, is the oldest Anglican cathedral outside England and its floor is paved with memorial slabs going back to the seventeenth century. The Iron Bridge over the Rio Cobre, cast in England in 1801, is among the oldest of its kind anywhere.
History
The Spanish founded Villa de la Vega in 1534 as the capital of the colony, later also called Santiago de la Vega, where the Taino had lived for about a thousand years before. The English took the island in 1655 and renamed the town, and by the time an earthquake devastated Port Royal in 1692 it had been rebuilt and was again the capital, as it remained until 1872 (Wikipedia, Spanish Town).
What's there
- The Georgian square - Old House of Assembly, King's House ruin and Rodney memorial.
- St James Cathedral - the oldest Anglican cathedral outside England.
- The Iron Bridge - cast in 1801, one of the earliest surviving iron bridges.
- The People's Museum - in the old King's House stables.
When to go
December to April is drier. Mornings are best. The square and cathedral take a couple of hours. Weekdays are easier for finding buildings open; the museum keeps limited hours.
Practical notes
Spanish Town has a serious reputation for crime in parts and most visitors are advised to go with a driver or guide, stay in the historic core, and not wander; the square itself is fine in daylight but the surrounding streets are another matter. Many of the buildings are in poor repair and King's House is a shell. The Iron Bridge has been closed and deteriorating for years.
Nearby
Kingston is half an hour east; the Bog Walk gorge is north.
Key facts
Source: Wikidata, item Q846939, read on 18 October 2026.
What to pack for Spanish Town
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Comfortable walking shoes - Sightseeing means kilometres of pavement and cobbles daily. Find on Amazon
- Modest clothing - Shoulders and knees covered - the single most common requirement. Find on Amazon
- A slim anti-theft daypack - Zips that close properly; keep it in front in crowds and on transit. Find on Amazon
- A scarf or shawl - To cover the head or shoulders on entry; women especially at mosques. Find on Amazon
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