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Located on St Lucia’s stunning northeast coast, Pigeon Island is one of the country’s most picturesque and historic spots. A scattering of colonial forts and garrisons, luxury resorts like The Landings St Lucia, and breath-taking view points out across the Caribbean to neighbouring island Martinique make Pigeon Island a great place to visit and an even more tempting place to stay. The History of Pigeon Island As the name suggests, this used to be a small island off the coast of St Lucia which was only connected to the mainland back in the 1972 when the government built a causeway from excavated sediment from the local Rodney Bay. But Pigeon Island’s dramatic history goes back much further than this and is largely linked to its spectacular location with views out over the Caribbean. The first historic references to the island are back in the 16th century when it is described as the place from which French pirate Jambe de Bois (Wooden Leg) spied on, and then launched his attacks on, passing Spanish ships. By the 18th Century British Admiral George Rodney had begun to appreciate the island’s special strategic vantage point with its views out across Martinique. In 1778 he had built a fort, garrison and barracks from which to monitor the French fleet stationed at the neighbouring island. Today, visitors to Pigeon Island can still walk around Fort Rodney Hill and explore the crumbling remains of the garrison, fort and a kitchen dating back to 1824. Still standing, the deserted barracks dramatically evoke the island’s military past. The connection with the past runs right through Pigeon Island including the luxury beach villas of The Landings, St Lucia, where residents can lie back and enjoy the same view as Jambe de Bois did nearly 500 years before. Things to Do Those who live in one of Pigeon Island’s exclusive resort properties, like the beautiful villas of The Landings St Lucia, can easily explore the island’s historic charms with gentle trails around its former fort. The more energetic will be rewarded for a short hike to the top of Signal Peak, the island’s highest point, with a breath-taking 360º view of St Lucia on one side and Martinique on the other. At the end of April/beginning of May, Pigeon Island plays host to the St Lucia Jazz Festival in which musicians from around the world come together for a celebration of live music and Jazz. Beaches Set in the sheltered surroundings of Rodney Bay, the beautiful beach at The Landings, St Lucia offers the perfect spot on Pigeon Island for swimming and snorkelling. The resort also offers a full range of water sports including sailing and land sports including tennis, swimming pools and a state-of-the-art gymnasium and spa. Adam Gobat is a renowned expert on the Caribbean, with a passion for its culture, history, people and places. His indepth local knowledge and wealth of experience in the luxury property market are key to the marketing and sales of the luxury villas and penthouses in The Landings, St Lucia, one of the most desirable freehold beachfront developments in the Caribbean.
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