History enthusiasts who head to a hotel in Jersey for their holiday will be well catered for, as there are a wealth of fascinating sites to explore. From prehistoric relics to World War II defences, you will certainly be kept busy sightseeing.
Indeed, with so much to discover, it’s worth carefully planning your itinerary before you arrive so you can pick what you most want to see during your stay. Here are three sites that are particularly worth visiting.
Elizabeth Castle
This beautiful fortress in St Helier was the home of Sir Walter Raleigh while he served as governor of Jersey between 1600 and 1603. It was constructed remarkably quickly, with work beginning in the 1590s.
A key element of its defensive structure is the fact it can’t be reached when the tide is high. The walkway leading from St Aubin’s Bay on the mainland becomes submerged with water, meaning that if it is not low tide you will need to take a boat to reach it and get back again.
In addition to Raleigh, the castle also offered shelter to Charles II as the English Civil War raged and his future on the throne looked in doubt. Centuries later, it was used as part of the Nazis’ defensive strategy in World War II, with the troops refortifying it against possible attack from the allies. If you’re interested in this period of time, it is also worth heading to the St Lawrence so you can visit the Jersey War Tunnels.
Mont Orgueil
This is perhaps the landmark that is most identified with Jersey as it is truly beautiful. Stood on a hill about Gorey Harbour, here you are rewarded with outstanding views across the sea, so you may wish to include a stop on a walk around the coast.
As well as being striking to behold from the outside, there is also much to catch the eye inside, from the seemingly endless network of winding stairs to the life-sized wooden soldiers who stand guard against attack.
There are some unusual exhibits inside for you to see, including the wheel of urine, which was used in medieval times by doctors attempting to diagnose their patients’ diseases. There is also a witchcraft exhibition in the cellar and a wounded man soldier, showing the risks that could befall those who battled to protect the castle.
La Hougue Bie
When you come to this site, you have the chance to explore a beautiful medieval chapel, and something far older. Although you might not immediately notice, the mound the place of worship sits on is manmade and contains one of the best examples of a burial passage in Europe.
The dolmen was a pinnacle of the Neolithic community that lived here some 6,000 years ago, so the site provides a fascinating insight into an ancient way of life. There is also an archaeology museum for you to explore, where you can see everything from a woolly rhinoceros skull found locally to bronze weapons and old coins.
Nearby is a command bunker that was constructed by the Germans during the second world war and inside you will be able to see the memorial that has been left to the island people and others who were forced to work like slaves to construct the Germans’ network of defences, including the Jersey War Tunnels.
[ad_2]Source by Dipika Patel