Colbeck Castle

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Colbeck Castle

Colbeck Castle, St Catherine
Two miles North-West out of Old Harbour.

The ruins of Colbeck Castle are an impressive and somewhat surprising sight to see on a Caribbean island. The ruins are the largest of their type in Jamaica.

It is believed that construction of the caste began in 1655 after the English captured Jamaica from the Spanish and was completed in 1680. It is also believed that the castle was owned by Colonel John Colbeck, a member of the English force of 1655 who subsequently settled in Jamaica and remained in this part of Jamaica until his death in 1682. The castle was most likely built as a defensive fort to fend off attacks from the Spanish, it may also have been used as an opulent residence.

The castle was built from red brick and stone and was built in the style of a seventeenth century Italian mansion. An Archaeological Impact Assessment of the area surrounding the Colbeck Castle ruins was carried out in 2006. The assessment found Taino, Spanish, English and Afro Jamaican artifacts.

Directions

To get to Colbeck Castle take the road leading north-west out of the centre of Old Harbour (you will pass a church on the left hand side of the road after the main roundabout). The main road veers ninety degrees to the left after about a mile, at this point follow the road leading straight signposted for Colbeck Castle.

After about a mile you will see a derelict bus stop on the right hand side of the road, opposite this (on the left hand side of the road) there is a small road leading in to the scrubby fields. Take this road and you will soon reach Colbeck Castle.

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