Port Royal Cemetery | Port Royal

The Port Royal Cemetery is located in Port Royal, Jamaica, a historic town that was once known as the "wickedest city on Earth" during the 17th century due to its notorious reputation for piracy, vice, and wealth. Port Royal was a major port and a thriving center for trade, and it was also home to many privateers and pirates who worked for the British crown. The cemetery itself is one of the few remaining historical sites that offer insight into this fascinating and tumultuous period in Jamaica's history.

Historical Context:

Port Royal was founded in 1518 by the Spanish, and it later became the capital of Jamaica under British control in the 17th century. It played a central role in the Atlantic slave trade and was a significant hub for piracy, with many infamous pirates, such as Sir Henry Morgan, calling it home. The city’s wealth was built on its maritime trade, and its notoriety as a pirate haven was fueled by the vast fortunes made from looting Spanish ships.

The Port Royal Cemetery is historically important as it contains the graves of many people who lived during the height of Port Royal's prosperity and its eventual decline. The cemetery includes the graves of both ordinary citizens and notable figures from the 17th century, such as pirates, merchants, and soldiers.

The Great Earthquake of 1692:

One of the most significant events in Port Royal's history occurred in 1692 when a massive earthquake struck the region. The earthquake caused much of the city to sink into the sea, and many people perished during the disaster. The cemetery contains graves of individuals who were affected by this disaster, and it offers a glimpse into the devastation and the final resting places of those who lived in the city during this tragic time.

The earthquake was so powerful that it submerged large sections of the town, including buildings, homes, and much of the cemetery. Many of the remains of people buried there were lost, though some graves remain, and some bodies that were previously interred were later discovered beneath the sea.

Significance of the Cemetery:

Today, the Port Royal Cemetery is a site of historical interest, offering a direct connection to the past. It is one of the few places where visitors can observe the final resting places of individuals who lived in one of the most infamous cities of the 17th century. The cemetery serves as a reminder of the legacy of piracy and colonialism in Jamaica, as well as the natural disasters that played a role in the city's decline.

Some of the gravestones in the cemetery are adorned with inscriptions that reflect the social classes and professions of the individuals buried there, providing additional historical insight. The cemetery has been the subject of various archaeological studies, as historians and researchers continue to learn more about the people who lived and died in Port Royal.

Visitor Experience:

Today, the Port Royal Cemetery is a part of the broader heritage experience in Port Royal, which also includes other historical sites like Fort Charles and the Port Royal Museum. Although the cemetery is not as widely known or as heavily visited as other tourist sites in Jamaica, it offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives of those who lived in this once-thriving and infamous town.

Many visitors to Port Royal come to see the remnants of its colonial and pirate past, and the cemetery adds to the allure of this historic site, offering an eerie yet fascinating link to Jamaica’s colorful history.