Fort Christina

Rate this place

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Fort Christina is a historical landmark located in Wilmington, Delaware, that commemorates the first permanent European settlement in the state.


°F

°F

mph

Wind

%

Humidity

Summary

Established by the Swedish in 1638, the fort played a significant role in the colonization of the New World.

Visitors to Fort Christina can explore the restored historic site and learn about the Swedish settlement and its impact on Delaware's early history. The fort features a reconstructed palisade wall, a church, and a museum that displays artifacts from the early European settlement.

Other points of interest in the area include the Kalmar Nyckel Shipyard, where visitors can board a replica of the ship that brought the first Swedish settlers to Delaware, and Old Swedes Church, the oldest continuously operating church in the United States.

Interesting facts about Fort Christina include that it was named after Queen Christina of Sweden and that the fort was built on the site of a Lenape Indian village. The fort also served as a trading post and played a role in the fur trade.

The best time of year to visit Fort Christina and the surrounding area is during the summer months when the weather is pleasant and many outdoor activities are available. However, the fort is open year-round, and visitors can enjoy indoor exhibits and guided tours during the colder months.

       

Weather Forecast

Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
View more

Featured Parks