Why Is St. George’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

St. George’s is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it is an exceptionally well-preserved example of an early English colonial town in the New World.

Permanently settled in 1612, the town retains its historic street plan, narrow lanes, traditional architecture and important buildings dating from Bermuda’s earliest colonial period. Together, they provide a remarkable picture of how an English settlement developed more than 400 years ago.

UNESCO’s designation also includes the fortifications surrounding St. George’s, which document almost four centuries of British military engineering. As weapons and methods of warfare changed, Bermuda’s coastal defences were repeatedly expanded and rebuilt, creating an unusually complete record of military development from the 17th to the 20th century. Learn more about Bermuda’s magnificent forts.

The Historic Town of St. George and Related Fortifications was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000, recognising both the extraordinary survival of the town and the historical importance of its defensive network.