The Emancipation Statue gives Haggatt Hall a tangible connection to sculpture: it was created by Karl Broodhagen, considered Barbados’ best-known sculptor. Another distinctive local feature is the solar-powered roof of Sky Mall. Together, they place a work of art and a specific architectural feature side by side in Haggatt Hall.
In the wider destination of Saint Michael, the Emancipation Statue is also known as the Bussa Statue; it commemorates the end of slavery. Bussa is a massive bronze statue in the wider destination of Saint Michael, at the Emancipation Roundabout on Highway 1; it depicts an enslaved person with broken chains.
Culture and history in the wider destination of Saint Michael
Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison encompasses a well-preserved old town that developed during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. The galleries of the Barbados Museum & Historical Society are housed in buildings that formed part of a 19th-century military prison within this ensemble. The development of the old town and the architectural history of the prison therefore offer distinct perspectives on the cultural heritage. In the wider destination of Saint Michael, an interactive exhibition in the west wing of the Barbados Parliament Buildings traces the development of democracy in Barbados through audiovisual presentations and text panels.
The Jubilee Gallery traces the prehistoric and historical development of Barbados through the 1940s in its “In search of Bim” exhibition. The Harewood Gallery takes a different approach: its exhibitions and dioramas illustrate the ecology of the coral reef and its marine life, as well as the development of mangrove swamps and seagrass beds. Those wishing to compare historical and nature-focused topics will find two clearly distinct approaches here.
The Barbados Museum & Historical Society also offers a two-hour walking tour of Bridgetown. It introduces historical sites and architecture of cultural and historical significance and takes place during opening hours, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.; advance booking is required. Check the current arrangements before your trip.
Other historical landmarks include St Mary’s Anglican Church and Kensington Oval. The church stands on the first consecrated site in Bridgetown; the present building was consecrated in 1827. Kensington Oval is a cricket stadium established in 1882, and tours are offered. Check before your trip whether tours are currently available.
Market and food
Temple Yard is an open-air food and craft market in Cheapside, Bridgetown, and is known as a local Rastafarian street market. Vegetarian Ital-style dishes are available there daily. The specific selection of vendors and goods may vary; ask locally about any changes. This food offering adds a culinary focus to the historical and cultural themes of the wider destination of Saint Michael.
For the wider travel overview: Saint Michael.
