St. Jago de la Vega or Spanish Town once the capital city of Jamaica in the parish of St. Catherine has the finest collection of historical buildings, and the country's archives.  Built on the West Bank of the Rio Cobre the town lies thirteen miles from Kingston on the main road.  As a site of historical importance, its history was shaped by its experiences within two significant colonial periods.  These periods are the Spanish from 1534 -1655 and the English from 1655 -1782.

In 1534 under the direction of the King of Spain this area was declared the capital of Jamaica and named "The Villa de la Vega" (The Town on the Plain).

From its foundation Spanish Town became the center of Jamaican life and history.  A lively commercial route was organized under Spanish administration, between Jamaica, Spain and other Spanish territories.  In addition to the commercial activities that went on in Spanish Town, a formal political structure was established under Spanish government.

Despite these general advancements of the capital, there were systematic attacks on Jamaica and other Spanish territories by European nations to loosen Spain stronghold in the Caribbean