Art & Culture on Dominica: Sites to visit
Roseau and the surrounding area
Roseau has two markets: visit the very lively New Market.
While wandering in the streets, you can also admire a few old churches. Their foundations of large stones go back up to three hundred years. Roseau also has a museum covering the history of the island.
To the north of the town, at the foot of the Morne Bruce Mountain, you can visit Dominica's botanical gardens. They were set up here in 1890 in a field of sugarcane and they take full advantage of the ideal climate for tropical plants (sunshine, rainfall). They have been organised into two sections, the first has an ornamental vocation, and the second section is to develop plants for local agriculture. In the 1960's and 1970's, Roseau's botanical gardens had an excellent reputation all across the Caribbean for its cricket field! It's true that at that time, Dominica was still under English influence. They even received the supreme recognition, twice, of a visit by Queen Elisabeth II and Prince Philip of Edinburgh.
In order to assist you with your visit, the "fauna and flora" department has a map of the gardens with a key in order to help you recognise the various species.
BOTANICAL GARDEN.
It was created back in 1889. The royal government wanted to encourage cultural diversification and distributed plants and seedlings to the farmers. The site covers 40 acres, one portion that was planted with sugarcane was sold to the government by William Davies, owner of the Bath Estate. The keeper of the garden, Henri Green, started the plantation shell. In 1892, Joseph Jones took over the garden, which became his sole interest and a vocation for an entire lifetime. The function of the botanical garden was primarily economic and experimental. Exotic plants were collected from around the whole world when it depended on the royal British garden of Kew. In 1930, it was one of the most beautiful botanical parks in all the English islands. In 1979, Hurricane David destroyed the oldest and most impressive trees, such as this baobab, which fell on a bus, and you can still see it today.
The island's most official cricket field is located here. The park has received visits from the English royal family several times. If you don't have enough time to go and see the parrots in their natural habitat, go and see them deep in the park.
CHURCHES.
The Anglican and Catholic churches, built between 1800 and 1916.
MORNE BRUCE.
Take the Elmshall Gate. Panoramic view of Roseau. James Bruce, the English engineer and architect, drew up the plans for this former British garrison. The most beautiful panoramic view of Roseau can be had where the giant crucifix is located, which dates back to 1920.
NEW MARKET.
At the mouth of the Roseau River. Go there on a Saturday morning to see the stalls, which are well arranged and full of colour with fruits and vegetables bearing very exotic names. In a popular and festive atmosphere, discover the flower market inside and the meat market. The fish market is in the same area, but on Fridays.
OLD MARKET SQUARE.
Formerly for the slave market. During the week, you'll find women selling wicker-work and objects made from wood, souvenir tee shirts, and Dominican reggae cassettes.
The North, Portsmouth and the surrounding area
PRINCE RUPERT BAY.
In the village of Portsmouth, small marina for boats and the beach. The bay of Prince Rupert doesn't have much to offer, except maybe from a historical standpoint. Forming a natural harbour, it was discovered by one of Christopher Columbus' boats during his second voyage and then became a stopover point for the conquistadores that were en route for South America.
CABRITS NATIONAL PARK.
Just to the north of Portsmouth. The ruins of Fort Shirley, an English garrison installed in the 18th century. Built with volcanic rock, here you'll find canons made from steel all along your stroll. It provides a magnificent view of Prince Rupert Bay and you can have a picnic here, have a swim and do some diving. There is new visitor's centre here. The bay is sheltered in the north by Cabrits Point, which is a national park. The point gets its name from an old custom of the seamen who disembarked here: they released goats and let them run freely in order to ensure that they would have fresh meat for their next stopover. The park is very small and is oriented to the land as much as it is to the sea. Marked trails allow you to discover the various natural environments: forests, swamps, volcanic beaches.
The South
CATHOLIC CHURCH.
At Soufrière. A wall painting depicting life in the village can be seen in this church. This one is over a hundred years old.
The East
HABITATION CHABERT.
Hatton Garden, between Atkinson and Marigot. Old French family that operated a sugar and lemon plant and who, in the end, specialised in liqueurs. It goes back to the 19th century and the plantation has been transformed into an Antique Museum. Go an see the antique swords and sabres, compasses and a map of Dominica from 1872. It also has ship bells that were used and recovered during the Battle of the Saints. Open from 9:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. everyday.
DOG'S HEAD STAIRCASE.
The dog-headed serpent is the other name for a boa constrictor. An excursion 15 minutes from the village of Sineku. This name was given to a lava flow that resembles this giant snake worming its way from the top of a rock down to the sea.
