Derek Walcott Square sits in the heart of St. Lucia’s capital city of Castries. Walk through the park to discover a pleasant atmosphere, a spot honoring the man himself, as well as a memorial to the island’s residents who lost their lives in battle. Colonial buildings line the surrounding streets, making it one of the city’s most picturesque places as well as being an important cultural and historical center.
The square, which measures 2 acres (1 hectare), was founded in the 1760s and in its past has been called Place d’Armes, Promenade Square and Columbus Square. Derek Walcott was a St. Lucian poet who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1992. This prominent city square, most recently named after the famous resident, features a bust of Walcott, which you will find as you wander through the park. Look for a placard detailing Walcott’s literary achievements. Find too a bust of Sir Arthur Lewis, a St. Lucian economist who also won a Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics in 1979.
Enter Derek Walcott Square through a great arch bearing its name. Walk through the pretty square along paths that weave past well-tended gardens and colorful flowerbeds. Enjoy the quiet and tranquility away from the hubbub of the nearby city streets. The square is a place of contemplation and remembrance, and a serene spot in Castries.
In addition to the honoring of the Nobel Prize winners, the square is home to a monument dedicated to locals who lost their lives in war. Look for the park’s large Saman tree which, locals say, is over 400 years old. It is known as the Massay tree.
Derek Walcott Square is located in a central location in Castries between Laborie, Micoud, Bourbon and Brazil streets. Parking is possible on any of the nearby roads. Enter this public park for free.
