Pedro St. James Castle

Pedro St. James Castle or Pedro's Castle is the oldest existing structure in the Cayman Islands ["Access Caribbean", 1998, Retrieved on June 4 2008] . Located on the southern coast of Grand Cayman, the castle, or rather a manor house was constructed in 1780 as the home of plantation owner William Eden, and 50 years later it served as a rendezvous point for the first elected parliament in the Cayman Islands. It is therefore known as the birthplace of democracy on the islands because it was at the building, in 1831, that the decision was made to vote for elected representatives, and four years later, in 1835, the Slavery Abolition Act was read from the stone archway of the building. The building was reduced to ruin after decades of neglect.

In 1996 a restoration amounting to over $6 million transformed the then-abandoned waterfront ["Access Caribbean", 1998, Retrieved on June 4 2008] . The original two storey building and its verandas were rebuilt and constructed in the 18th century style.

The castle contain a visitors centre, exhibits, a souvenir shop and a cafe.

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