Rio Nuevo

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Rio Nuevo Battle Site

The unassuming village of Rio Nuevo (pronounced "Ray-a-nova" locally) was the site of the most important battle fought in Jamaica.

The battle took place on 17 June 1658 and was between the Spanish (the then colonisers of Jamaica) and the invading English forces. The battle was won by the English and resulted in Jamaica becoming a British colony. Spain formally ceded control of Jamaica to England under the Treaty of Madrid in 1670.

The site is now a picturesque green space where visitors can contemplate the significance of the historic events which occurred here centuries earlier. On the site there is a new museum, developed by the Jamaican National History Trust and the Rio Nuevo Battle Site Citizens Association which opened in January 2009. The museum features artefacts discovered on the site and tells the story of the monumental battle. Outside the museum is a gazebo and plaques honouring both the Spanish and English soldiers who fought in the battle. There is also access to the beach where the invading fleet arrived.

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