The fortress was built from dark volcanic stone found right on the hilltop, which is why its walls look so dark and dramatic. The builders used the natural shape of the rocky hill cleverly, so the fort fits perfectly into the landscape. From the top you can see across the sea to the island of Nevis and even to other Caribbean islands on a clear day.
Brimstone Hill is sometimes called the 'Gibraltar of the West Indies' because it sits on such a dramatic rocky point, just like the famous Rock of Gibraltar in Europe. The walls, tunnels, ramps and cannon platforms are all beautifully preserved, giving visitors a real sense of what a Caribbean fortress looked and felt like hundreds of years ago.
Today the fortress is a national park and museum. Visitors walk along the stone ramps, peer through old cannon openings, and learn about the amazing engineering that went into building such a big structure on top of a steep hill. Green vervet monkeys often sit on the old walls, watching tourists with curious eyes.
The views from Brimstone Hill are some of the most breathtaking in the Caribbean. On exceptionally clear days you can count five other islands from the ramparts. It is a reminder of how small and yet how beautifully placed Saint Kitts is, surrounded by sparkling Caribbean sea in every direction.