Castletown Attractions

The next place is Castletown (1 miles/2km), once capital of the island. Castle Rushen, on the site of an earlier Viking stronghold, destroyed in 1313, has played a great part in Manx history. The Castle, once a royal residence, is very well preserved and still stands at prominent at the center of the town. The clock in the south tower was presented by Elizabeth I in 1597, andthere is also an interesting sundial with 13 dials. Within the walls of the castle, Derby House was built by the 7th Earl of Derby in 1644. From the tower there are far-ranging views. Here too is one of the island's greatest treasures, a Celtic crucifix brought from the little offshore islet, the Calf of Man.