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Sam Sharpe Square

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Landmark
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Sam Sharpe Square (Jamaica)

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Sam Sharpe Square is the historic and civic heart of Montego Bay, serving as a powerful monument to the struggle for emancipation. Originally known as Charles Square, it was renamed in 1976 to honor Samuel Sharpe, a Baptist deacon and National Hero who led the 1831 Christmas Rebellion. This massive slave revolt was a turning point that accelerated the abolition of slavery in the British Empire. The square’s centerpiece is a striking bronze statue of Sharpe preaching to his followers. Nearby stands 'The Cage,' a small stone building once used as a temporary jail for runaway slaves and 'vagrants.' Surrounded by elegant Georgian architecture, including the Montego Bay Civic Centre, the square is a bustling intersection of history and modern commerce. It remains a site of profound national reflection, where the legacy of resistance continues to inspire the people of Jamaica.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Feb, Dec.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C262627282828292929282727
Rain mm4435475715015010914619021713150

📋 Practical info

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Visiting
Sam Sharpe Square is a public plaza in central Montego Bay, open and accessible at all times. The monument and commemorative plaques can be viewed without restrictions.
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Typical hours
As an open square, there are no set visiting hours. Early morning or late afternoon visits are more pleasant to avoid the midday heat.
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Photography
Photography of the square and its monuments is allowed at any time. Be mindful not to photograph people without their consent, especially near the market area.
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Time needed
A visit to the square typically takes 15 to 20 minutes to read the plaques. Allow extra time to explore the surrounding shops and market activity.
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Combine with
Combine your visit with St. James Parish Church, just a short walk away. The Montego Bay waterfront with its restaurants is also nearby.
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Getting there
Sam Sharpe Square is in the heart of Montego Bay, at the junction of the beach and downtown. It is easily reachable on foot from the cruise port or by taxi from the city.
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Insider tip
Visit the square in the morning when the adjacent market is less crowded. Read the inscriptions on the plaques carefully to grasp the historical significance.

Geography

Coordinates
18.47190, -77.91890

Facts

  • Renamed in 1976 to honor National Hero Samuel Sharpe.
  • Site of Sam Sharpe's execution in 1832 following the Christmas Rebellion.
  • The central bronze monument was created by Jamaican artist Kay Sullivan.
  • Features 'The Cage,' a historic stone lock-up built in 1806.
  • The Montego Bay Civic Centre on the square houses the Museum of St. James.
  • Serves as 'Kilometer Zero' for all distance measurements in Western Jamaica.
  • Traditionally hosts major celebrations for Emancipation Day on August 1st.
  • Surrounded by some of the best-preserved urban Georgian architecture on the island.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

St. James Parish ChurchSt. James Parish Church<1 km · SEExplore →
Bogue Islands Bird SanctuaryBogue Islands Bird Sanctuary2 km · SExplore →
Sangster Cargo TerminalSangster Cargo Terminal2 km · NExplore →
Rocklands Bird SanctuaryRocklands Bird Sanctuary3 km · SWExplore →
Seven Rivers Citrus FarmSeven Rivers Citrus Farm6 km · NWExplore →
Croydon PlantationCroydon Plantation7 km · NWExplore →
Peter Tosh MonumentPeter Tosh Monument11 km · SWExplore →
Rose Hall Great HouseRose Hall Great House11 km · NExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Sam Sharpe Square (3)

Jarrett Park📍 landmark

Jarrett Park is a public park in Montego Bay, used for events and recreation.

Montego Bay📍 landmark

Montego Bay is a city on Jamaica's northwest coast, known for its harbor and tourism.

Cornwall College, Jamaica📍 landmark

Cornwall College is a secondary school in Montego Bay, founded in the 19th century.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

Who was Sam Sharpe?
He was a Jamaican National Hero and leader of the 1831 slave rebellion.
What landmark stands in the center of the square?
The Sam Sharpe Monument and 'The Cage', an old jail for runaway slaves and drunken sailors.
Is the square safe for tourists?
It is safe during the day but very busy; watch out for pickpockets and persistent vendors.
Where is this square located?
It is the center of Montego Bay, easily accessible from most hotels and the cruise port.
Are there any entry costs?
No, visiting the square and viewing the statues is free.
Sam Sharpe Square: where is it located?
Sam Sharpe Square is located in Jamaica.
Sam Sharpe Square: what is there to see?
Highlights include Jarrett Park, Montego Bay, Cornwall College, Jamaica.
Sam Sharpe Square: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Feb, Dec.
Sam Sharpe Square: why is it worth visiting?
Sam Sharpe Square is the historic and civic heart of Montego Bay, serving as a powerful monument to the struggle for emancipation.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
North America
Explore with Plizio Discover more places in North America
More places in Jamaica →

History & landmarks

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St. James Parish Church
One of Jamaica's most impressive churches, located in Montego Bay, built in the shape of a Greek cross.
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Greenwood Great House
An excellently preserved 18th-century plantation house once owned by the family of Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

More places

Bogue Islands Bird Sanctuary — Sam Sharpe Square (Jamaica)
Bogue Islands Bird Sanctuary
A group of mangrove islands in Montego Bay serving as an important nesting site for herons and pelicans.
🗺️
Ahhh...Ras Natango Garden
A botanical garden and art gallery in the hills above Montego Bay, popular with families and bird lovers.
Rocklands Bird Sanctuary — Sam Sharpe Square (Jamaica)
Rocklands Bird Sanctuary
A sanctuary near Montego Bay that attracts thousands of exotic birds, some of which will feed from your hand.
Montpelier Mountains — Sam Sharpe Square (Jamaica)
Montpelier Mountains
A scenic mountain range in western Jamaica, known for its cool climate, rolling hills, and agricultural heritage.
Seven Rivers Citrus Farm — Sam Sharpe Square (Jamaica)
Seven Rivers Citrus Farm
A lush valley in St.
Croydon Plantation — Sam Sharpe Square (Jamaica)
Croydon Plantation
A working coffee and pineapple plantation in the foothills of the Catadupa Mountains.
Great River Bay — Sam Sharpe Square (Jamaica)
Great River Bay
A picturesque bay where the Great River meets the sea.
Dolphin Head Mountains — Sam Sharpe Square (Jamaica)
Dolphin Head Mountains
A distinctive mountain range in Hanover with a unique shape.