Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine January 2019 | Page 38

Martello Tower places of interest Darby’s Cave With a diameter of about 3 feet and cliffs about 70 feet high, Darby’s Cave, a sink hole, is probably the most interesting of Barbuda’s natural features. Although surrounded by dry bush-type land, the hole is home to a lush mini-rainforest forest, creating its own unique ecosystem. A constant trickle of water down the hole has resulted over the years in the formation of stalactites and stalagmites down the sides and at the bottom. of the cave. There are several Martello Towers built around the world by the British during the colonial years. Its design made it difficult for then cannons to penetrate. It was named after similarily round fortresses that existed in Mortella, Corsica in the 15th century. Barbuda’s Martello Tower was built in the 1800s atop an existing, Spanish Fort dating back to 1745. The tower is 32 feet high and offers outstanding views over most of the island. Photo Credit: Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority Photo Credit: Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority