Port of Spain: Culture, History and Savannah

Queen's Park Savannah is Port of Spain's largest open green space; the historic mansions of the Magnificent Seven stand around it. This distinctive cityscape brings landscape and architectural history together. Woodford Square, museums and art, along with free events on the Brian Lara Promenade, add to the picture. This gives your travel planning several different points of focus: expansive grounds, historic sites and outdoor culture.

Green Space and Gardens

Queen's Park Savannah covers approximately 260 acres (110 ha) of flat, short-grass land. Its perimeter is about two miles. These figures describe different scales: the first gives the size of the open green space, while the second gives its outer perimeter. If you are interested in landscape and the dimensions of urban green space, this is a useful reference point.

The Royal Botanic Gardens lie north of the Savannah. Established in 1818, they are home to 700 tree species, a butterfly garden and a historic governor's burial site. Their combination of botanical diversity and a place of historical significance offers a different perspective from the Savannah's flat, short-grass grounds. Each green space thus offers its own view of Port of Spain's landscape.

Historic Sites and Architectural History

The Magnificent Seven are a group of historic mansions around Queen's Park Savannah. The Savannah represents open space, while the group of houses forms an ensemble of historic buildings. The Magnificent Seven include:

• Ambard's House / Roomor
• Archbishop's Palace
• Hayes Court
• Killarney (Stollmeyer's Castle)
• Mille Fleurs
• Queen's Royal College
• Whitehall (Rosenweg)

Woodford Square is at the heart of the Woodford Square Heritage District, the country's only Heritage District approved by Cabinet. The square was originally called “Brusnwick Square” and was renamed Woodford Square in 1914. Both its role in the Heritage District and its former name are part of its history.

Fort San Andres represents another layer of history: it is the last surviving fortification from the period of Spanish occupation and a testament to the Spanish colonial heritage. The National Museum and Art Gallery of Trinidad and Tobago is housed in the Royal Victorian Institute, one of the oldest buildings in Port of Spain.

Art and Events

In the basement of the Red House, the Rotunda Gallery displays works by local artists for public viewing; admission is free. Check the current visitor guidelines before your trip. This allows you to include a gallery visit as a dedicated art stop in your plans.

The Brian Lara Promenade hosts free open-air concerts, film festivals, celebration ceremonies and craft exhibitions. The range spans music and film to ceremonies and crafts. Unlike the historic buildings and collection venues, the focus here is on outdoor events.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Port of Spain, Chaguanas, San Fernando, Rio Claro-Mayaro, Eastern Tobago, Western Tobago, Trinidad, Penal-Debe.

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