The Giddy House

This building called “the Giddy House” was built in 1888 during the reign of Queen Victoria, and served as the Royal Artillery Store (artillery storehouse) in Fort Charles, Port Royal. Located on the western end of the Palisadoes Strip, Fort Charles was built by the British after Jamaica was taken from the Spaniards. The Fort was initially named Fort Cromwell after a general at the time, but was later redubbed Fort Charles. The military stronghold was initially damaged in the earthquake that rocked ‘The Most Sinful City on Earth’ in 1692; the natural disaster sunk a large portion of Port Royal and killed thousands of residents. Fort Charles was rebuilt in 1699 by the chief engineer of Jamaica at the time. It was meant to store weapons and gunpowder for the adjacent Victoria and Albert Battery. After Port Royal was struck by another earthquake in 1907, the Giddy House partially sunk to its present 45 degree angle. On entering the building, people often feel a strange sensation of being giddy or off balance, caused by the building’s tilt, hence its name-the Giddy House. Here is a video of two visitors to Jamaica experiencing the Giddy House for themselves.

Visitors can see Fort Charles and the Giddy House by taking a bus or taxi from Kingston to Port Royal.

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