The War Memorial, Basseterre

The War Memorial, Basseterre

The War Memorial stands as a poignant tribute to the brave men who made the ultimate sacrifice during the tumultuous periods of the First and Second World Wars. Originally unveiled in 1926 at its initial location near the Post Office, the memorial underwent a significant relocation and expansion, finding its current place at the northern end of Bay Road. The reimagined structure was unveiled by Princess Margaret on November 11, 1955.

The War Memorial, locally known as 'The Cenotaph,' serves as a solemn reminder of the profound impact of war on the community and the collective loss endured by the nation. The memorial features a prominent obelisk, a symbol of remembrance and reverence for the fallen soldiers.

Two bronze plaques adorn the memorial, each bearing the names of those who valiantly served and perished in World War One and World War Two. The inscriptions stand as eternal testaments to the courage and sacrifice of these individuals, ensuring that their memory lives on.

Originally white in color, the memorial has weathered over the years, taking on a natural stone hue that adds to its historical character. The memorial complex includes three tombs situated in front of the obelisk. Notably, each tomb is constructed from the stone of one of the three islands comprising the colonial entity of St. Kitts, Nevis, and Anguilla.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Basseterre. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

The War Memorial on Map

Sight Name: The War Memorial
Sight Location: Basseterre, St Kitts and Nevis (See walking tours in Basseterre)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark

Walking Tours in Basseterre, St Kitts and Nevis

Create Your Own Walk in Basseterre

Create Your Own Walk in Basseterre

Creating your own self-guided walk in Basseterre is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Basseterre Introduction Walking Tour

Basseterre Introduction Walking Tour

Basseterre is the capital city of the Federation of Saint Christopher (commonly known as Saint Kitts) and Nevis, two small islands in the Caribbean nestled between Antigua and Saint Maarten. The city has one of the most tragic histories of any Caribbean capital, destroyed many times by colonial wars, fire, earthquakes, floods, riots, and hurricanes. Despite all this, however, it is incredibly...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles