The Pirates’ Lost City

The Pirates’ Lost City explores hidden treasure salvaged from the wickedest city on earth. Called Port Royal, it was a 17th century pirate utopia where loose morals and gaudy displays of wealth had its home.

Founded in 1518 by the Spanish, Port Royal was once the largest city in the Caribbean, functioning as the centre of shipping and commerce in the Caribbean Sea by the latter half of the 17th century.

The city was damaged by an earthquake and swallowed by an accompanying tsunami on June 7, 1692. Henceforth, Port Royal had become a sunken city admired only by coral and fish.

Today, however, its story and pirate life is retold by archaeologists and experts.

Port Royal was once home to privateers who were encouraged to attack Habsburg Spain’s vessels at a time when smaller European powers dared not make war on Spain directly. It was a popular homeport for the English and Dutch-sponsored privateers to spend their treasure during the 17th century.

When those governments abandoned the practice of issuing letters of marque to privateers against the Spanish treasure fleets and possessions in the later 16th century, many of the crews turned pirate. They continued to use the city as their main base during the 17th century. Pirates from around the world congregated at Port Royal, coming from waters as far away as Madagascar.

The Pirates’ Lost City shows us how pirates lived and how the world viewed them. Experience the stories of how the violent fury of a buccaneer raid was conducted. Meet Blackbeard, the scourge of the Caribbean seas. He and his crew were famous across history as some of the more bloodthirsty pirates.