Consists of Sanctus Ioannes Baptista
Dominant culture: Maltese
History[]
The island was first named San Bartolomé by Columbus, after his brother. The French later settled the island, translating the name to Saint Barthélemy. In 1651 they sold the island to the Knights Hospitaller. The Knights didn't want the island to be named after somebody who wasn't a saint, so they renamed it after their patron saint, John the Baptist. The island became increasingly important when the Knights started making it into a powerful naval base and ship repair center. The island holds one of the three holy relics the Knights own.
Points of Interest[]
- Navalia Magnificus (Grand Shipyard). This city was named Le Carénage (The Careenage) before the Knights purchased the island. They expanded the existing naval repair facilities into the best harbor for ship repairs in the New World.
- In Tria Castella (The Three Forts). Three forts guarding the harbor of Sancta Ursula. Castellum Cotoner guards Pharos Bartolomé, the huge lighthouse that has been given the former name of the island. Castellum Wignacourt guards the city itself and the third, Castellum Carafa, is on the peninsula west of Navalia Magnificus. All three forts have been named after the grandmaster that had them built.
- Capellam Madonna de Philermos (Chapel of Our Lady of Philermos). This inland chapel is where the Knights keep one of their holy relics: the Icon of Our Lady of Philermos. The icon is used in a secret process where cotton is blessed and woven into sails and tunics. The Maltese cross on the tunics and sails is then able to produce a bright flash of light or glow as a continuous light source. The Knights use cotton for this because regionally grown cotton gives better magical results, they are the only ones using cotton sails.
- Textrinum Byssum (Cotton Weaver). This is a large manufactory where cloth for sails and tunics is woven. It is close to the chapel.