St.John's the capital of Newfoundland and the oldest colony in North America. It's harbour is steeped in history of long forgotten days of sailing ships and English- French conflict. Many early day explorers just as Jacques Cartier, Sir Humphrey Gilbert and John Cabot have set foot on her shores. St. John's was many times attacked by enemy forces both by land and sea. The town was seized by the Dutch in 1665, by in French in 1696, and again in 1708. The town was last captured in 1762, but was quickly retaken by British troops despatched from Halifax under Colonel William Amherst.
The history of St. John's speaks not only through Historic Sites such as the Colonial Building and Commissariat House, but also through its streets, houses, churches, harbour and businesses. It's a vital modern city, a major port for the offshore oil development, yet it has managed to preserve a flavour of the old in the new. Its cultural heritage comes alive each summer in Folk Festivals and the Regata (the oldest continuing sporting event in North America).
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |