Port Royal Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site


A City Once Sunk in Infamy Now Rises as a Protected Global Treasure


Port Royal, Jamaica — once branded the “Wickedest City on Earth” — has officially been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Known for its swashbuckling past and sunken ruins, this historic town at the tip of the Palisadoes now stands among the world’s most culturally significant places.

From Pirate Haven to Heritage Landmark

In the 17th century, Port Royal was the epicenter of piracy, privateering, and colonial ambition in the Caribbean. Its natural harbor attracted merchants, mercenaries, and marauders alike. With its infamous taverns, wealth from plundered Spanish ships, and the presence of figures like Henry Morgan and Blackbeard, Port Royal became a symbol of unchecked excess.

But in 1692, that excess was quite literally swallowed by the sea. A catastrophic earthquake and tsunami sank much of the city beneath the waves — preserving parts of it in time.

What remains today is a rare archaeological marvel: an underwater city frozen by disaster and steeped in stories.

Why UNESCO Recognized Port Royal

UNESCO's designation honors Port Royal not only for its legendary past, but for its archaeological uniqueness, historical significance, and untapped cultural value. The site includes:

  • Sunken 17th-century streets and buildings preserved beneath the sea
  • A rare convergence of land-based and underwater heritage
  • A layered history of colonialism, commerce, and Caribbean resistance

This makes Port Royal the only known sunken city from the modern era with such intact structures and context — a true time capsule of the Atlantic world.

What It Means for Jamaica

The recognition elevates Port Royal to the global stage, alongside other iconic heritage sites like Machu Picchu, Timbuktu, and the Great Wall of China. But it’s also a call to preserve, protect, and promote what has too long remained overlooked.

Port Royal is no longer just a pirate story or cautionary tale — it's a national asset.

A New Chapter Begins

While Port Royal has lived in folklore for centuries, the UNESCO designation signals a shift: from myth to monument, from legend to legacy. There are renewed hopes for sustainable tourism, historical conservation, and public engagement — including plans for a maritime heritage park and visitor experience that honors both the land and the sea.

How You Can Help Celebrate

  • Share the announcement with your community — on social media, in schools, and in cultural spaces
  • Browse the site’s stories, maps, and features to uncover the history behind the headlines.
  • Read the full Pirates of Port Royal series right here on this website, and meet the real figures who shaped this legendary town Read the Pirate Series
  • Discover what happened before, during and after the earthquake in the book The Timeline of Jamaica View the Book

“Not forgotten. Just under-told.”


Dive Deeper with The Timeline of Jamaica

Port Royal’s story didn’t end with the earthquake. From Free Villages to World Wars, Jamaica’s journey is filled with moments just as bold — and just as under-told.

Learn More  


Sources & Further Reading