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“Under the Ivi Tree Suva” (n.d.) Source: Fiji Museum P32.4/68
Ivi Triangle

The ivi triangle has been a popular resting place in Suva, and features an old ivi (Tahitian nut) tree. A small plaque sits beneath the ivi tree at the corner of Renwick Road and Scott Street. The inscription contains some misleading information about Fiji’s history.

“King’s Wharf Suva 1929” Source: Fiji Museum P32.7/10
King's Wharf

King’s wharf was constructed on reclaimed land during WWI to replace the smaller Queen’s wharf at Pier Street.

“Suva Government Buildings, Cakobau Memorial replacing obelisk at old government bldgs demolished late 40s” Source: Fiji Musuem P32.5/14
Government Buildings

Originally comprised of wooden buildings relocated from Levuka, the government buildings precinct today includes the Parliament of Fiji, the law courts and other government ministries. The art deco design was completed in 1939 and includes a unique clock tower with a dome covered in glazed tiles.

“Saint Francis Xavier Church”, 2016, Source: Google maps
St Francis Xavier Church, Ra

The Church of St Francis Xavier is a popular tourist attraction for its mural of a black Christ which blends Christian motifs with elements of Fijian tradition and culture.

“Prospective Sketch by Mr Haus Turner? made while plans were in preparation”, c.1950s, Fiji Museum P23.1/14
Fiji Museum

The Fiji Museum was established in 1904 and has moved several times over the last century. It has been situated in Thurston Gardens since the 1950s and contains artefacts up to 3700 years old.

“CWM Hospital 1923”, Source: Fiji Museum P19.1/14
Colonial War Memorial Hospital

This hospital was opened in 1923 in memory of the Fiji veterans who served in World War I. It is also the site of the oldest medical school in the Pacific Islands. It is still in use today as the main hospital for the greater Suva area. 

“Suva Prison, 1946” Source: Bart van Aller, Suva Gaol (Suva, National Trust of Fiji 2015).
Suva Prison

The Suva Prison is the major receiving centre in Fiji. Established at Korovou soon after the capital moved to Suva, the prison has housed men, women and juvenile prisoners at various times in its history. The complex includes Fiji’s first ferro-concrete building and a gallows where executions took place until 1964. Prisoners have maintained the nearby Suva cemetery since the prison was opened.

“Suva Pier, c.1880s” Source: Fiji Museum P32.5/77
Queen's Wharf

Queen’s wharf was originally the main wharf for Suva. It was connected to Pier Street before the area underwent land reclamation works. It was dismantled in 1921 and replaced by the larger King’s Wharf at the present site in Walu Bay.

“Fijians – clothing, Village People (Suva area), probably taken during [18]80s” Source: Fiji Museum P32.4/138
Origins of Suva

The indigenous settlement of Suva was established in the early 1800s at the site of the present-day Thurston Gardens. The itaukei were forced to move to Suvavou in 1882 by European colonial powers to make room for the new capital. 

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Website content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. All material used on this site retains the original Creative Commons Licences and can only be re-used under their respective licences. Note that corporate logos (such as the Fijian History logo) and images used in some collections and branding are specifically excluded from the Creative Commons Attribution Licence, and may not be reproduced under any circumstances without the express written permission of the copyright holders.

Fijian History © 2018 - The University of the South Pacific
About

This project was a collaborative effort by staff and students of The University of the South Pacific to document some of the historic sites of Fiji.

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