Introducing St George's Parish

The parish of St George's embodies Bermuda's colonial past like no other place on the island. Indeed, some would argue like no other place anywhere. The centerpiece of Bermuda's easternmost parish is the historic Town of St George. Overlooking St George's Harbour, it was Bermuda's first capital and stands today as its most fascinating sightseeing area.

Established in 1612, the Town of St George is the oldest continually inhabited English settlement in the New World. Many of its original twisting alleys and colonial buildings remain intact, as do several forts. St George has done such an exceptional job of preserving its historic sites that in 2000 Unesco recognized the town and its fortifications as a World Heritage Site.

What is so unique about St George isn't simply that the town has preserved so many of its original buildings, but that it's done such a tremendous job of maintaining their original character in the face of changing times. The town has kept modern eyesores, such as overhead utility lines, to a minimum. Several buildings, from the town hall to the waterfront tavern, still have functions that reflect their original use.

The parish's other town, St David's, is a bastion of local tradition in its own right. It doesn't abound with historic buildings the way the Town of St George does, but it has deep roots that go back nearly as far. Most of the families living in the village trace their heritage to early colonial years and pride themselves on maintaining their legacy of living close to the sea.

The other side of St George's Parish is the exclusive community of Tucker's Town, which is located - somewhat confusingly - on the southwest side of Castle Harbour with no land connection to the rest of the parish. It has Bermuda's most expensive real estate and is a second home for some very wealthy folks, including a few prominent international billionaires.