Brazil
Argentina
Bolivia
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Guyana
French Guiana
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
Uruguay
Venezuela
Germany
Austria
Belgium
Croatia
Denmark
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Finland
France
Greece
the Netherlands
Hungary
Ireland
Iceland
Italy
Luxembourg
Norway
Poland
Portugal
the United Kingdom
the Czech Republic
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
Canada
Mexico
the Dominican Republic
South Africa
Australia
Fiji
New Zealand
Papua New Guinea
Historic centre · Savannah, Georgia
Savannah Historic District
Savannah’s center, laid out in 1733 around public squares, with 22 of them preserved, 18th- and 19th-century houses and live oaks draped in Spanish moss.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Savannah Historic District
James Oglethorpe founded Savannah in 1733 with a grid street plan organized into wards, each with a square at its center. The design was preserved as the city grew, and the historic district retains 22 squares, shaded by live oaks hung with Spanish moss.
Around the squares are churches, mansions and wrought-iron houses from various eras, such as the Owens–Thomas House and the Mercer–Williams House, open to visitors. Chippewa Square became known for a movie scene, and Madison Square has monuments to the Revolutionary War.
To the north, on the riverfront, River Street has stone cotton warehouses turned into shops and restaurants, with steep steps descending from the high Factor's Walk.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
Half a day to a day, on foot.
Best time
In the morning or late afternoon; in spring the azaleas usually bloom in the squares.
How to get there
It occupies the area between the Savannah River and Forsyth Park, in the city center. City buses and a passenger ferry connect points in the center.
Tip
Stroll the squares zigzagging along Bull Street, which crosses five of them between the river and Forsyth Park.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Savannah Historic District
How many squares are in Savannah’s historic downtown?
Twenty-two, from the 1733 plan.
Which street runs through Savannah’s main squares?
Bull Street, between the river and Forsyth Park.
What is Savannah’s River Street?
The riverfront, with old cotton warehouses turned into shops and restaurants.