Citadelle of Quebec facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Citadelle of Quebec |
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La Citadelle de Québec (French)
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| General information | |
| Location | Quebec City, Quebec, Canada |
| Coordinates | 46°48′27″N 71°12′26″W / 46.8074°N 71.2071°W |
| Construction started | 1820 to 1850 |
| Cost | 200 000 sterling pounds, 60 000 estimated in 1816 |
| Client | The Crown of France (1693, 1701, 1745, 1750) The Crown of Great Britain and Ireland (1820, 1831, 1842) The Crown in Right of Canada (1872) |
| Owner | The King in Right of Canada (Charles III) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Various |
| Engineer | 9 |
| Official name: Québec Citadel National Historic Site of Canada | |
| Designated: | 15 May 1946 |
The Citadelle of Quebec (French: Citadelle de Québec), also known as La Citadelle, is a special place in Quebec City, Canada. It's an active military installation, meaning soldiers still use it. It's also one of the official homes for the governor general of Canada and the Canadian monarch (the King or Queen of Canada).
This historic fortress sits high up on a hill called Cap Diamant, right next to the famous Plains of Abraham. The Citadelle is part of the old walls around Quebec City. Did you know Quebec City is one of only two cities in North America that still has its original city walls? The other is Campeche in Mexico!
People realized how important Cap Diamant was for defense way back in 1608. Over the years, both the French and then the British built forts there. The Citadelle you see today was built between 1820 and 1850. The British built it to protect Quebec City from possible attacks, especially from the Americans. In 1871, the British gave the Citadelle to the Canadian government. Since then, it has been used by the Canadian Armed Forces and as a home for Canada's leaders.
The Citadelle is a very important historical site in Canada. It's part of the Historic District of Old Québec, which is a World Heritage Site. This means it's recognized by UNESCO as a place of special importance to everyone in the world! About 200,000 people visit the Citadelle every year.
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History of the Citadelle
The high cliff called Cap Diamant was seen as a great place for defense by Samuel de Champlain in 1608. This is why he decided to start Quebec City right at the bottom of the cliff. The cliff was very hard to climb, so the only side of the city that needed strong walls was the west side. The other sides were naturally protected by the hill.
Early Forts and Walls
French Rule
The first protective wall around Quebec City was built in 1690 by order of Governor General Louis de Buade de Frontenac. It was finished just in time for a battle against invaders. A few years later, in 1701, King Louis XIV of France approved a plan for a new, wider wall.
Building a full, strong fort was very expensive, so the French government didn't build one, even though Quebec City was important and vulnerable. After a major battle in 1745, more work was done on the city's defenses.
British Rule
After the British took over Quebec City in 1760, the first British governor, General James Murray, saw that the city's defenses were weak. He wanted a strong fort built, but the British government also thought it was too expensive. So, they built a smaller, wooden fort instead.
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During the American Revolutionary War in 1775, American rebels tried to capture Quebec City. They attacked on December 31st, but they were defeated and had to retreat. The Americans tried to keep the city surrounded, but they left when British soldiers arrived in the spring of 1776.
Building the Modern Fort
As tensions grew between the United Kingdom and the United States in the late 1700s, the British decided to make their colonies' defenses stronger. Walls were built around the Upper Town cliff, and four round towers called martello towers were built on the Plains of Abraham. These were finished before the War of 1812. A large fort was planned, but it was still considered too expensive.
However, after the War of 1812, opinions changed. As part of a bigger plan to improve Canada's defenses, the current star-shaped fort was built between 1820 and 1850. It was designed to protect Quebec City from American attacks and to be a safe place for British soldiers if there was a battle or rebellion. The Citadelle included parts of the old French walls from 1745.
After Canadian Confederation in 1867, Canada became responsible for its own defense. The British soldiers left the Citadelle in 1871. Canadian artillery and cavalry schools were opened there. Over time, living conditions for the soldiers improved.
A very important person, Governor General the Marquess of Dufferin and Ava, helped save many of Quebec's old forts. He also made the Citadelle an official home for the Governor General in 1872. Since 1920, the Citadelle has been the main home for the Royal 22e Régiment, a famous Canadian army unit.
During World War II, important meetings called the Quebec Conferences were held at the Citadelle in 1943 and 1944. Leaders like Canadian Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and US President Franklin D. Roosevelt met there to plan war strategies.
The Citadelle was named a national historic site in 1946. In 1985, the Historic District of Old Québec, which includes the Citadelle, became a World Heritage Site.
What the Citadelle Does Today
The Citadelle is still a working military installation for the Canadian Armed Forces. It's also an official residence for both Canada's monarch (the King) and the Governor General of Canada. The Governor General often stays there for several weeks in the summer and at other times of the year.
Just like at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, important Canadian award ceremonies and meetings with new ambassadors are held at the Citadelle. You can also visit the residence! They offer tours of the state rooms and educational tours for students. About 200,000 people visit the Citadelle every year.
Building 1 at the Citadelle is the main office for the Royal 22e Régiment. Many military ceremonies for the regiment happen on the Citadelle's parade ground. One popular event is the changing of the guard ceremony.
A cannon is fired from the fort every day at noon. This loud boom can be heard all over Quebec City! Long ago, two cannons were fired: one at noon for lunch, and another at 9:30 pm for the soldiers' curfew. This tradition has continued since 1871, except for a short break between 1994 and 2008.
Buildings Inside the Citadelle
The Citadelle is shaped like an uneven star. It has four strong points called bastions and three straight walls. All these parts are built from local sandstone. Inside the walls, there are 24 buildings, mostly made of grey stone.
The Royal and Viceregal Residence
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The Officer's Barracks, a building from 1831, has been the home of the governor general of Canada since 1872. This residence has 153 rooms and offices for the Governor General's staff.
The main entrance has double doors under a fancy porch with the words "GOUVERNEUR GÉNÉRAL" and the Canadian coat of arms. Inside, there's a beautiful foyer and hall with marble floors. The Small Dining Room is decorated in blue and white with crystal chandeliers.
After it became a royal residence, more rooms were added, like a ballroom and sunroom. Sadly, these additions were destroyed by a fire in 1976. The original part of the building was fixed, and new state rooms were built where the burned parts used to be. This work was finished in 1984.
The new part of the building has a separate entrance with two spiral staircases. On the upper floor, there's a large event space, a lounge, and a sunroom with a terrace that looks out over the St. Lawrence River. The inside of the new part was designed by a Quebec artist and uses Canadian materials like granite and wood. The residence is filled with old furniture and modern Canadian art.
Royal 22e Régiment Museum
Building 15, built in 1750, used to be a powder magazine. Now, it houses the Museum of the Royal 22e Régiment and Canadian Forces Museum. This museum collects and displays items important to Canadian military history. You can see weapons, uniforms, and other military artifacts from the Royal 22e Régiment.
Other Important Buildings
- Building 1, the Former Hospital Administration Building, is a two-story stone building with a sloped roof. It has decorative pillars on the front.
- Building 2, also called the Men's Barracks, used to be an armory and powder magazine. It's a long, two-story stone building with a copper roof.
- Building 5, the Former Powder Magazine, is a low, stone building with a sloped roof and a protective wall around it.
- Building 7, the Memorial Building, is part of a group of three buildings near the parade ground. It's a small, one-story stone building with a pyramid-shaped roof. Governor General Georges Vanier and his wife are buried here.
- Building 10, located near the Governor General's residence, used to be a military prison. Now it's part of the museum. It's a two-story stone building built in 1842.
- Building 14, the former ordnance store, stands along the parade ground. It's a long, two-story stone building with a copper roof.
- Building 16 is the museum office and used to be a cooperage (where barrels were made).
- Building 17, another Men's Barracks, is a two-story stone building with a copper roof.
- Building 20, known as the Ball House, was once an observatory and time ball tower. It's a tall, stone building with different shapes.
- Building 32, the former Defensive Guard House, is a small, one-story stone building with a sloped roof.
- Building 46, the former caponier, is a small stone building built into the walls, with loopholes for defense.
See also
- Government Houses in Canada
- Government Houses of the British Empire and Commonwealth
- List of forts
- Ramparts of Quebec City
