Spanish Town (pop. 147,152) is the largest city in Jamaica—that is, more people live within its borders than within the borders of any other city in Jamaica. However, the metropolitan area of Kingston, Jamaica’s capital, has a much larger population. Spanish Town was founded in 1523 by Spanish settlers and was originally called Villa de la Vega. Spanish Town, as it later came to be called, was Jamaica’s first capital from 1692 until 1872, when the British moved the seat of government to Kingston. Food processing and tourism are the city’s most important industries.
Spanish Town’s central square is surrounded by many historic buildings. The former House of Assembly, built in 1762, is noted for its colonnade and pillared balcony. Opposite it are the ruins of King’s House, once the official residence of Jamaica’s governors and now the site of an archaeological museum. The National Repository holds documents dating from the 1600’s. Nearby stands the Cathedral Church of St. James. Originally constructed in 1523, it was the first cathedral in the New World. The cathedral that stands on the site today was built in 1714.
