St. Nicolas Abbey
the history of this magnificent estate began in
the midst of the 17th century and is an intriguing and
interesting story, one that should be discovered when you visit
this outstanding mansion in Barbados. The entire plantation, the
sugar and subsequent rum business and the continued intrigue
would be a subject of concern for many decades, eventually
passed over by time and the digression of life. There are over
200 acres of sugar cane fields planted there now, with a mansion
that is beautifully preserved and filled with the finest
antiquities of colonial lifestyles for the very rich. The
plantation would pass through many hands, but all would value
the land and magnificent house, continuing to preserve them in
their present condition. The Jacobean architecture of the
mansion would be adapted with Tudor and Elizabethan styles, as
well as continental renaissance, Flemish, Dutch and French
architecture that is characterized by elegant multicurved
Flemish gables, Tudor arches, decorative chimneys and casement
windows, along with the other Jacobean elements. The mansion has
a Georgian style triple arcaded portico and sash windows that
were added in 1746, and cedar paneling in 1898, along with a new
mahogany front door. In 1910, the original floors would be
replaced with North American pitch pine, with a majority of the
antiques coming from the 1800s, including two Wedgewood tea
sets, the Sailor's Valentines collection and artworks. There are
many decorative pieces that would be brought here from travels
to sea, like the local and imported sea shells and other natural
materials. It is a spectacular estate and one that is well worth
visiting.
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