Sam Sharpe Square, Montego Bay (must see)

Sam Sharpe Square, located in the heart of Downtown Montego Bay, is one of Jamaica’s most historically significant landmarks. Originally called Charles Square, it was renamed in honor of Samuel Sharpe, a Baptist deacon, teacher, and national hero who led the Christmas Rebellion of 1831, a major uprising that hastened the abolition of slavery in the British Empire. At the center of the square stands a monument to Sam Sharpe, commemorating his leadership and ultimate sacrifice—he was executed nearby in 1832 for his role in the revolt.

The square remains the bustling core of Montego Bay. Street vendors sell fruits, snacks, and crafts, while taxis and buses circulate continuously, giving visitors a vivid sense of local life. Those seeking context can step into the Montego Bay Museum, housed in the Montego Bay Civic Center, which displays artifacts and exhibits on the area’s colonial and post-emancipation history.

Another key feature is The Cage, a small 19th-century brick-and-stone structure once used to detain drunks, vagrants, and runaway slaves overnight before they were sent back to plantations. Today, Sam Sharpe Square stands as both a lively public space and a solemn reminder of Jamaica’s enduring struggle for freedom and justice.