Citadelle of Quebec

Still the official residence of the Governor General of Canada outside of Rideau Hall, the half-star-shaped Citadelle of Quebec is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Strategically located on the highest point of the city at Cape Diamond right along the St. Lawrence River, vital for transportation, it is the largest British fort in North America.

Before the current stone citadel was constructed, a temporary citadel that could house 1,600 men was constructed of earth and wood as a response to the American Revolution. German mercenaries were hired by the British to fight in the American Revolution. They came to the continent via Quebec City and helped construct the temporary citadel. As many as two-thirds of the soldiers who helped build the structure were Germans.

The present fort contains the country’s oldest military building from 1693 and is still garrisoned by the Royal 22nd Regiment, the only Francophone regular infantry force. It’s not just a part of the city’s fortifications, but also the system of forts along the St. Lawrence to protect marine traffic and deter an American invasion after the War of 1812.

The permanent citadel was conceived by Governor Charles Lennox conceived a system of defences stretching from Quebec City via Montreal and the Rideau Canal in Ottawa all the way to Fort Henry in Kingston. Elias Walker Durnford was the Commandant of the Royal Engineers and made the plans for the citadel, he was also involved in engineering the Rideau Canal.

The museum focuses on the accomplishments and deployments of the Royal 22nd Regiment as well as the history of the fort. Outside, visitors can visit a jail for disobedient soldiers and a small chapel. The door to the Governor General’s residence is also casually unguarded, just like at Rideau Hall. An interpretive map up on the citadel’s walls show how artillery pieces are placed to cover all areas of attack and how the walls are designed to trap incoming troops.