Independence Square (Basseterre)

It was named on the occasion of St. Kitts and Nevis achieving political independence on September 19, 1983.

Originally called Pall Mall Square, The Government first acquired it in 1750 and it rapidly became the administrative, commercial and social centre of Basseterre.

Enslaved Africans were temporarily quartered in the basement of a building on the south side of the Square.

This basement is still visible to today, it has bars on the Windows and would often flood, "Besseterre" means low level.

The Men, women and children were also sold through the business place of slave traders, many of whom operated in the Square and Liverpool Row.