Legacy of Colbeck Castle

Two miles north of Old Harbour, in the open countryside of St Catherine, stands the majestic ruin of Colbeck Castle. Once the largest building in Jamaica, this 17th-century structure now serves as a silent testament to the island’s rich history and the passage of time.

Constructed around 1680 by Colonel John Colbeck, who arrived in Jamaica with the British forces in 1655, the castle was built on 1,340 acres of land granted to him by the Crown. Designed in the Italian Palladian style, the red brick and limestone edifice functioned both as a residence and a fortification. Colbeck, who lived a solitary life, died at the age of 52, leaving his estate to the church.

Today, the castle’s towering walls, though weathered by centuries, still stand tall, offering a glimpse into the architectural grandeur of the past. The site, now under the Jamaica National Heritage Trust’s care, is free to the public.

The surrounding region of St Catherine is steeped in history. Nearby, Old Harbour boasts the historic Old Harbour Railway Station, built in 1871, and the St Dorothy’s Anglican Church, established in 1681. Further afield, the Rio Cobre River and Gorge, with its legendary Flat Bridge, tells tales of colonial engineering and folklore.

ECHOES OF TIME

Colbeck Castle stands as a poignant reminder of the transient nature of human endeavours. Its enduring presence urges us to reflect on our own lives and the legacies we leave behind. As the inscription suggests: “Take heed, your words and actions are the building blocks of your personal history. Live with integrity. Let your relationships and undertakings be marked by sobriety, honesty, and truth. The footprints you leave behind will shape the story told about your time on this Earth.

In the quietude of Colbeck Castle, amid the whispers of the past, we are reminded that while time marches on, the imprints of our lives endure.

Contributed by Dr Lorenzo Gordon, a diabetologist, internal medicine consultant, biochemist, and a history and heritage enthusiast. Send feedback to inspiring876@gmail.com