Plymouth, the Buried Capital

Plymouth, once the bustling capital and only town of any size on Montserrat, is now one of the most extraordinary and haunting sights in the Caribbean, a modern Pompeii. When the Soufriere Hills volcano erupted from 1995, it buried the Georgian town under metres of ash, mud and pyroclastic debris, and it was abandoned, becoming a ghost city within the volcanic exclusion zone. Today, the eerie remains, rooftops, church spires, the clock tower and upper storeys of buildings protruding from the hardened grey ashfall, can be viewed from lookouts such as Garibaldi Hill or, when conditions and permits allow, on guided visits, a sobering and unforgettable testament to the power of nature.

What you actually see

• The buried town - the rooftops and spires in the grey ashfall.
• The lookout views - the vistas over Plymouth from Garibaldi Hill.
• The abandoned buildings - the eerie remains of the capital.
• The exclusion zone - the ghostly, ash-covered south.

When to go

December to April, the dry season, for the clearest views, as the volcano and its zone are often cloud-covered; Plymouth is generally viewed from lookouts in the safe area, and closer access, when the volcano's status allows, is only by permit and guided tour. Always follow official guidance, as the exclusion zone remains hazardous.

Honest expectations

Plymouth lies within an active volcanic exclusion zone, so it is usually viewed from a distance at lookouts rather than entered, and closer access is only by permit and guided tour when conditions allow; it is also a place of real loss, the abandoned home of thousands, to be treated with respect. As a genuinely unique and haunting sight, though, a modern Pompeii where a buried capital protrudes eerily from the volcanic grey, Plymouth is unforgettable and one of the most extraordinary places in the Caribbean.

Nearby

The Soufrière Hills volcano, the observatory and the safe north are within reach.