Saint Mary

“Is this where the sweetest pineapples in the world grow?” a curious voice asked from the group. We find ourselves right here in Saint Mary, a parish that holds a special place in Antigua and Barbuda’s history. Saint Mary may not be known for towering cities or bustling harbors, but its significance lies in the very soil that nourishes it. Saint Mary is the heart of the “Pineapple Belt,” the only region where the legendary Antigua Black Pineapple flourishes. This unique fruit, renowned for its deep sweetness and rich flavor, is a testament to Saint Mary’s fertile volcanic soil and the legacy of its agricultural past. As you gaze across the landscape, imagine fields once dominated by sugar mills. Saint Mary’s history is intertwined with the cultivation of sugarcane, a trade that brought both prosperity and hardship to its shores. While the sugar mills are mostly gone now, their remnants whisper tales of a bygone era. Today, the parish is a tranquil haven, its beauty preserved in rolling hills and lush valleys. The Shekerley Mountains, which dominate the landscape, provide a dramatic backdrop to the peaceful countryside. Saint Mary’s heart beats strongest in its small villages, where life moves at a slower pace. Here, the spirit of Antigua and Barbuda thrives, expressed in the warmth of its people and the vibrant hues of its natural splendor. So take a moment, breathe in the fragrance of the earth, and let the whispers of Saint Mary’s past wash over you. You are standing in a place where nature’s bounty and human resilience have woven a tapestry of captivating stories.