GEO Haiti 2010

State of the Environment Report 2010
Cultural Heritage
• Historical Monuments
As a result of its past and of its history, Haiti has many
historical monuments throughout the country.
The cities of Cap Haïtien and Port-au-Prince, having
been the most important commercial, political
and social centers, and where the scenario of the
small French colony of Saint Domingue unfolded,
remain the main historical vestiges. Thus, the
glorious history of its past is perceptible through
its small streets, houses and century-old buildings,
those having survived fires and earthquakes, and
even destruction resulting from internal strife.
Pre-Columbian archaeological sites are to be
found on Turtle Island (Ile de la Tortue) at Grotteau-Bassin
and Grotte-la-Galerie (Caves Au Bassin
and La Galerie).
In the Northeastern province are the fortifications
of Fort-Liberté, founded by the Spaniards in 1578.
Initially called “Bayah” and later renamed Fort
Dauphin by the French, the fort was finally called
Fort Royal by Christopher Henri. The De la Bouque
forts, located at the mouth and on the western
shore of the bay of Fort-Liberté, constitute a set of
four forts built to defend Fort-Liberté: Fort-Saint-
Fredéric (1740), Fort-Saint-Charles (1740), the
Battery’s Cove (1756) and Fort-Dauphin or Fort-St.
Joseph.
Part of the cultural heritage of Turtle Island, are the
foundations of Fort-Rocher, built in 1640 by Jean
La Vasseur, and Fort Oregon, which dates back to
1666. Several other lesser-known forts are found
along the coasts of the country, among others, the
Plantons-Fortress in Les Cayes.
In the Northern region, within the National
Historical Park, is the La Ferrière Citadel, and the
Sans-Souci Palace in the town of Milot, both built
by Christopher Henry (Henry I) between 1805 and
1820, after the slave-uprising. The Citadel was to
defend the young Republic from French attacks.
In downtown Port-au-Prince, among the many
examples of French and European-influenced
architecture, one can find: Dessalines Square,
Place d’Italie (Italy Square), the Champs- de-Mars,
the National Palace, the Legislative Palace, the
Esplanade of the Heroes of Independence and the
Pantheon Museum.
Another installation of cultural interest is the
Barbancourt 26 rum distillery which dates back to
1736.
Figure 27: La Ferrière Citadel
Source: Antonio Perera, 2009
Figure 28: The ruins of the Sans-Souci palacei
Source: Antonio Perera, 2009
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(http://fr.tixik.com/foto-citadela-laferrière-2363096.htm