Information
Landmark: Queen's StaircaseCity: Nassau
Country: Bahamas
Continent: North America
Queen's Staircase, Nassau, Bahamas, North America
Overview
In Nassau, the Queen’s Staircase-known to locals as the “66 Steps”-stands as a beloved landmark, its weathered limestone telling centuries of history.Hand-carved from limestone in the late 1700s, this staircase still carries the weight of its cultural, architectural, and historical importance, its steps worn smooth by centuries of passing feet.You’ll find it in downtown Nassau, just a short walk from Fort Fincastle.Admission’s free, though they welcome donations, and it’s open all year.Built between 1793 and 1794 by enslaved Africans, the Queen’s Staircase rises cool and damp through the limestone.Carved straight from solid limestone, it formed a clear passage between Fort Fincastle and Nassau’s city center, giving soldiers a quick route to the fort if enemies closed in.In the late 1800s, the staircase was named for Queen Victoria, who ruled from 1837 to 1901 and is still honored in the Bahamas for helping end slavery across the British Empire-a legacy that lingers like the warm salt air along Nassau’s streets.The Queen’s Staircase, once cut with 66 hand-carved steps but now showing only 65 after years of weathering and paving, rises between towering limestone walls that catch the light like pale gold.Built by enslaved people whose skill lives on in each chisel mark, it stands as a powerful reminder of both hardship and resilience.Shade from tangled vines and broad-leafed trees cools the air, while the steady murmur of a waterfall softens the city noise above.At the top waits Fort Fincastle, a compact 1793 stronghold with sweeping views of Nassau’s pastel rooftops and the sea beyond.Visitors linger here for photographs, stories from local guides, or simply to rest on benches in the quiet.Come prepared with good shoes, water, and time-early mornings or late afternoons offer the most peace.Just steps away, you’ll find the Straw Market, downtown streets buzzing with shops and cafés, and Nassau’s highest point, the Water Tower.More than stone and history, the Queen’s Staircase is a living link to the Bahamian spirit.Blending rich history, vibrant culture, and turquoise sea views, it’s a spot you can’t miss when you’re in Nassau.
