Parliament Buildings, Bridgetown (must see)

Found just north of the Careenage, between Broad Street and Rickett Street, the Parliament Buildings were constructed between 1870 and 1874, but Barbados’s Parliament itself is much older.

Established in 1639, it is one of the oldest parliaments in the British Commonwealth. Today, the buildings are protected and form part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison. Built from local pale coral limestone, this large neo-Gothic complex-with its pointed arches, narrow windows, and a prominent clock tower-remains one of the easiest landmarks to recognize in central Bridgetown.

The oldest section is the West Wing, completed in 1873. This is where you’ll find the chambers of the Senate and the House of Assembly, which are still used for parliamentary business. Over the years, the building has also accommodated a variety of other institutions, including the post office, central bank, and public library.

Inside the House of Assembly, one of the details worth looking for is the stained glass. The windows depict British sovereigns from the time of James I through to Queen Victoria. In the Senate, meanwhile, the stained-glass windows feature the coats of arms associated with former Presidents of the Council and Speakers of the House of Assembly.

The East Wing has served a rather different purpose over the years. It once contained the offices of senior colonial officials, including the Colonial Secretary, Treasurer, Provost Marshal, and Comptroller of Customs. Today, it houses the National Heroes Gallery and Museum of Parliament, where you can learn more about the country’s political history.

And finally, look up at the prominent clock tower above the West Wing. Interestingly, the clock and bells were originally installed on the East Wing. But the ground beneath the tower proved unstable, and within about ten years it had begun to sink. In 1886, the clock and bells were moved to the West Wing.