Blackbeard's Castle

Infobox_nrhp | name =Skytsborg
nrhp_type =nhl


caption =
location= Charlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin Islands
lat_degrees = 18
lat_minutes = 20
lat_seconds = 45
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 64
long_minutes = 55
long_seconds = 48
long_direction = W
locmapin =
area =
built =1679
architect= Unknown
architecture= Other
designated = October 12, 1994cite web|url=http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=2111&ResourceType=Structure
title=Skytsborg (Blackbeard's Castle) |accessdate=2007-06-28|work=National Historic Landmark summary listing|publisher=National Park Service]
added = December 20, 1991
governing_body = Private
refnum=91001844cite web|url=http://www.nr.nps.gov/|title=National Register Information System|date=2008-04-15|work=National Register of Historic Places|publisher=National Park Service]

Blackbeard's Castle is one of five National Historic Landmarks in the U.S. Virgin Islands. It is located in the city of Charlotte Amalie, on the island of St. Thomas. Built in 1679 by the Danes as a watchtower to protect the harbor, it was originally called Skytsborg Tower (meaning sky tower). It is located at the highest point on Government Hill.

Danish soldiers used Skytsborg as a vantage point to spot enemy ships. It is not known what year Skytsborg Tower took on the name of Blackbeard's Castle, but the infamous Edward Teach, commonly known as Blackbeard, did sail the Caribbean waters in the early 1700s. It has become part of the lore of the island that he used the tower as a lookout for his own purposes of piracy. It was the centerpiece of a private residence for many years, but now is surrounded by a small hotel (The Inn at Blackbeard's Castle), a restaurant and a pool.

References

External links

* Official website: [http://www.cr.nps.gov/nhl/ National Historic Landmark Program]