Nassau - a Treasure of the Bahamas

Name

The city’s name comes from the German noble family Nassau. British settlers founded the city in the year 1656 under the name Charlestown. After the city’s destruction in 1684 it was rebuilt under the name Nassau, in honour of the Dutch and British King Wilhelm III. from the house of Orange-Nassau.

Location

The city of Nassau is the capital of the Bahamas and located on the island of New Providence. Nassau is the island state’s centre of transportation, banking and commerce.

Piracy

Right after the founding, pirates beganto hide in the city. This was the reason for the destruction by the Spanish and French fleet in 1684. Even after the reconstruction the piracy problem didn’t vanish, which is why the city was destroyed two more times in 1695 and 1703. The pirates controlled the Bahamas directly from Nassau, supposedly with the pirate Blackbird as unofficial magistrate. In 1718, pirates were finally expelled for good.

Architecture

Nassau is known for its Georgian architecture, Victorian villas and pastel wooden shutters. You may rest on the balconies and be refreshed by the Caribbean breeze. There is a high density of historical cathedrals in Nassau as the inhabitants are very religious. One of the most famous is the Christ Church Cathedral.

Media

If you like to watch JamesBond films, come to Nassau and you will feel like in one of these films. Thunderball (1965) as well as the remake of Never Say Never Again (1983) were shot in Nassau. In Casino Royale (2006), the fateful relation between Vesper and James begins at the beach of the One & Only Ocean Club in Nassau. And even Captain Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Carribean »sacked Nassau Port without firing a shot«.

Souvenirs

Straw hats, baskets, mats: Women from the Bahamas use dried palm leaves to make straw souvenirs of any kind in old tradition, they are much requested by tourists. You can buy straw souvenirs on straw markets in Nassau, Cable Beach, Paradise Island and other islands.

Fotos Sivan Askayo

Text Anja Böttcher

Layout Corissa Bagan