Levuka Historical Port Town, Fiji Islands - a guide to Levuka and Ovalau Island, Fiji Islands

Levuka, Ovalau, Lomaiviti.... ...the heart of Fiji

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deed of cession reenactment

Levuka - Fiji's first capital

Experience Levuka and be part of a living heritage...
Levuka is a trip back in time, to a Fiji that is still untouched from mass tourism and commerce....
it's still the way Fiji used to be in the old days.

"Levuka Historical Port Town"
In June 2013, Levuka has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for beeing "an outstanding example of late 19th century Pacific port settlements, reflects the integration of local building traditions by a supreme naval power, leading to the emergence of a unique landscape".

About Levuka
Founded by trader and settlers as early as 1830, Levuka was the first permanent European settlement in the pacific islands. the place flourished and attracted cotton and coconut planters, sandalwood and beche de mer traders. Merchants arrived to set up shops, bars and hotels. Ships and sailors visited and Levuka turned into a rowdy place. Local chiefs had trouble to maintain control. In 1874 the king over Fiji "Tui Cakobau" and his fellow chiefs ceded the islands to the queen and Fiji became a British colony in 10 October 1874 and Levuka became Fijis' first capital. Law and order took over and very soon the first school of Fiji was build.
A few years later,lack of space hindert economic growth of Levuka as a capital it was decided to move. So in 1882 the capital was officially moved to Suva, businesses and many people left and Levuka seemed to be doomed to stand still in time.

Levuka today,
is the principal town in the Lomaiviti group (Central Fiji).
It has infrastructure including supermarkets and grocery stores stocked with "European" foods as well as beer, wines and spirits. There are bakeries, hardware & appliance stores.
Local market vendors selling vegetable, fruit and fish.
Cinema, clubs, café and restaurants, churches, schools, museum, library, local government, post office, document and freight couriers, internet access, banks, police force, customs & immigration and a new modern hospital. Accommodations, tours and activities, daily ferry and flight services.

A guide to Levuka and Ovalau
Levuka, Ovalau, Fiji Islands
info@levukafiji.com