Historic Jersey
Jersey has been fought over for many
centuries, and after visiting you’ll see why, but as a result Jersey
is littered with castles and forts, from the magnificent Mount Orgueil
castle built in the 13th century to the huge German War Tunnels built
while the Island was occupied during the Second World War. Jersey’s
past goes back much further than even its 800 years of allegiance to the
English crown it celebrated in 2004.
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| National Trust
site at St. Ouens |
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Stone Age Dolmens
The Stone Age monuments from
the Neolithic Period (c.4500-3000BC) are the oldest monuments in Jersey,
older than Stonehenge and are some of the best examples in Europe. Burial
chambers and stone monuments, often covered with a rubble mound, known
as dolmens were common in Jersey. Today about fifteen remain. One of the
best examples of these monuments is at La Hougue Bie in Grouville. Many
of the finds from the 1924 excavation are on display at the Archaeological
Museum on the site. There is also a German command post built underneath
all open to the public (Seasonal opening.)
An example of a late Neolithic ‘Allée Couverte’ (a
rectangular chambered tomb with no passage or covering mound) can be seen
at Ville-ès-Nouax in St. Andrew’s Park at First Tower.
The earliest known dolmen on the island is the passage grave La Sargente
at St. Brelade (c.4500-4000BC) near the end of the cliff walk at La Pulente
Castles Forts
Mount Orgueil Castle, known locally as Gorey Castle, this spectacular
13th Century castle is set on the east coast overlooking the harbour of
Gorey. Open all year round.
Elizabeth Castle. Jersey was
defended from this fortress built on an islet in St. Aubin’s Bay
for 300 years from the Civil War to the German Occupation. Walk across
the causeway from St Helier at low tide or catch one of the amphibious
“Ducks” (extra charge). Open daily from 2nd April until 5th
November 9:30am – 6pm (last admission is at 5pm)
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| Elizabeth Castle
in St. Aubins Bay |
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Driving around the coast you
will notice numerous round forts that were built to protect the island
from French invaders. Most are privately owned and are even parts of people's
houses. One that is open to the public during the summer months is Kempt
tower a Martello tower built in 1834, the tower is home to an exhibition
on the adjacent Les Mielles conservation area and also facts regarding
the tower.
There are also many ruins of
forts that visitors can wander through at their leisure all year. One
of the most impressive is. Grosnez Castle (ruin) and Le Pinacle, on the
headland on the north west of the island, thought to have been built in the
14th century. Le Pinacle, a 200ft high rock which featured as an object
of worship for thousands of years. There are also superb views from this
area north to the other Channel Islands.
German Occupation
The Germans left a lasting
mark on Jersey after Hitler invaded, occupied and demanded it was turned
into Fortress Jersey. Many of the sea walls and coast roads we now rely
on were built by the Germans. And there are some amazing fortifications
around the Island including the world famous War Tunnels (formerly known
as the Underground Hospital). Historians and locals have plenty of theories
as to what the real purpose behind the building was. Russians, Poles and
other nationalities were brought in as slave labour by the Nazis and worked
and died here in appalling conditions. A thought provoking visit. There
are too many fortifications to list here but as you tour the island
you will come across many.
Museums
Jersey Museum is the winner of 2 national awards; it uses modern technology
& dramatic displays to tell the story of Jersey, its traditions and
its industries. The Museum holds art & cultural exhibitions throughout
the year.
Maritime Museum is another of Jersey’s national award-winning museums
and offers hands-on exhibits, great for children, with historic objects
and new art and sculpture commissions to celebrate our centuries old relationship
with the sea.
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