Nassau Queen's Staircase

About the Queen's Staircase

Nassau is the capital of the Bahamas, known for its iconic Queen's Staircase - a stunning 66-step stairway carved out of solid limestone by enslaved people in the late 18th century. Named in honor of Queen Victoria, this remarkable monument connects Fort Fincastle to the city below and stands as both a testament to the skill of its builders and a poignant reminder of the islands' colonial history.

Carved through solid limestone on Bennet's Hill between 1793 and 1794, the passage was cut by enslaved labourers with hand tools to link the town below with Fort Fincastle, built in 1793 under Governor Lord Dunmore as part of a defensive network that also included Fort Charlotte and Fort Montagu. It was renamed in the 19th century for Queen Victoria, who reigned from 1837 to 1901; the widespread claim that its steps match the years of her reign does not hold, since she ruled just under 64 years. Known locally as the 66 Steps, though only 65 are visible after the lowest was paved over, it remains a free public route, a heritage site renovated in 2024, and a reminder of the enslaved people who made it.