House of Culture

House of Culture Review

Formerly called Government House, the city's finest colonial structure is said to have a design inspired by the illustrious British architect Sir Christopher Wren. Built in 1814, it was once the residence of the governor-general, the queen's representative in Belize. Following Hurricane Hattie in 1961, the governor and the rest of the government moved to Belmopan, and the house became a venue for social functions and a guesthouse for visiting VIPs. (Queen Elizabeth stayed here in 1985, Prince Philip in 1988.) Now it's open to the public. You can peruse its archival records, art, photographs, silver, glassware, and furniture collections, or mingle with the tropical birds that frequent the gardens. If going here after dark, take a cab, because it's close to some of the city's most crime-ridden areas.