| As well as the great barrier reefs that Belize is | | | | regular services to those practising Anglican residents. |
| famous for, its history as a country is well | | | | Visitors will find in Belize the House of Culture, this |
| documented. | | | | building formerly being the residence of the British |
| Belize has a Cathedral dating back to the early 1800s, | | | | Governor of Belize. In 1814 this building was a symbol |
| building began 1812 and completed 1820, the oldest | | | | of British Colonial rule as the Government House, the |
| surviving colonial period building as well as the oldest | | | | seat of colonial government until 1981 when Belize got |
| Anglican Church in Central America, is also the only | | | | its independence from the British Commonwealth. The |
| Anglican cathedral in the world outside England. St | | | | Belizean flag was raised for the first time September |
| John’s Cathedral was built by slaves with bricks | | | | 21 1981. It acquired its current name in 1996 after |
| brought to Belize as ballast in the hulls of ships from | | | | receiving extensive renovations while retaining its |
| Europe. It took eight years to build and inside visitors | | | | architectural integrity while converting it for public use. |
| can still see many original architectural features | | | | Visitors can tour daily, viewing its original furnishings and |
| including its intricate stained glass windows, the ornate | | | | the silverware from the days of the colonial governors, |
| mahogany pews and its antique organ. Between 1815 | | | | alongside exhibitions from Belizean artists. Today the |
| and 1845 four kings of the Mosquito Coast were | | | | House of Culture is home to the Institute of Social and |
| crowned with ceremonial splendour. Members of the | | | | Cultural Research and is often used for social events |
| Royal family have been educated in Belize, their | | | | and open air concerts. |
| children baptised there. Today the cathedral still offers | | | | |