Halifax Citadel National Historic Site
- superpurd
- First Reviewer
- 4 out of 5
- Avg. Member Rating
- 5
- Reviews
-
10
- Photos
Editor Pick
Halifax Citadel National Historic Site
- April 30, 2008
- Rated 5 of 5 by
tvordj from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
The centre of Halifax is dominated by a big hill and on top of the hill is a restored Citadel, a star shaped fortress that was constructed shortly after the city was founded in 1749. There have been several forts here over the years, the current one dates to 1856. The fort was built for defence but has never fired a gun in aggression. The only cannon that goes off these days is one that fires to mark noon every day.
The Citadel is open mainly from May to October though the grounds are open all year round. There are no services for tourists in the winter with one exception. The fortress holds a Victorian style Christmas celebration on several Sundays in December. The cost is $11.50 for an adult during June to September, with a lower cost in May and October. The fortress is free on Canada Day, July 1, when there are demonstrations, music and activities to celebrate Canada's birthday.
The soldiers you see dressed in period costume belong to the 78th Highlander regiment and most are summer students. Many will wear kilts and the rest wear regular uniform. they are trained in rifle and cannon drills as well as learning the history of the fort so that they can take turns guiding the visitors. You can usually join a walking tour around the fortress for free. This takes you into the barracks, in and around the compound and inside the walls themselves.
The view from the Citadel overlooks the downtown core and harbour and the hill itself is popular for sunbathers and kite flyers. The site is designated a National Historic site and is run by Parks Canada. It's well worth a visit with lots of displays and things to see. There's a military museum in the barracks as well as a gift shop, coffee shop and toilet facilities.
It's easy to get to. Find the hill. Walk up. There are stairs on the harbour side, and two roads lead up to the hill. Drive slowly, though as the road is narrow and there's a stop light as you come into the parking lot. Bus tours of the city drive up the hill and stop here and the free city centre shuttle that runs in the summer also comes up.
From journal Halifax, My Home
Editor Pick
Citadel Hill National Historic Site
- July 8, 2006
- Rated 4 of 5 by
grannola from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Citadel HIll is a large Historic Site on the grounds of the old Citadel, which protected Halifax. On Canada Day, there is free admission. (The normal price is $27.20 for a family or $10.90 for an adult, $5.45 youths)
We made the trek up the steep hill. There were about 6 flights of stairs to climb. Luckily we had a helper to carry the stroller up. Otherwise, we would have had to walk around to the other side of the hill and pushed the stroller up the car driveway.
The citadel as it currently stands had been around since 1856, although there were 3 earlier citadels on the same location. There are models of the earlier versions in one of the museums.
There is a large Army Museum on the second floor. Don't try to bring a stroller up (on Canada Day at least). It's too crowded and the elevator tried to hold me hostage. You need a key to operate the elevator, which I didn't realize until I was in it and the door shut. I was there with the baby in the stroller and had a very hard time getting the door open from the inside. We decided not to bother with the museum this year.
Mom and the two big kids did some exploring of the site. I had been here the past 2 years and decided I didn't need to see the museums again this year.
There was a concert playing from 10:30-11:30 which you can hear from all over the citadel. There are also bagpipes playing at the same time in a different area. A bit useless because they overlap, but whatever.
The kids enjoyed seeing the reenactors in soldiers costumes, but the 4-year-old was scared of the Beaver Mascot of parks Canada on the way in.
At 11:30 they have the official Canada Day flag raising. Then they sing O Canada. Then, comes the free cake. There were 4 sheet cakes, but several hundred people. Since we'd been here before we were cleverly staking out the place where the cakes are set up (just outside the Army Museum staircase), so we didn't have to wait in the line for too long.
While we were eating, there was a 21 gun salute for Canada Day, which was of course fired by cannon. The first year we went here it was rather startling because we were in the museum with the models when the guns were fired. It was really loud inside the citadel!
After the cake, there was a mass exodus of people and we actually had to stand in line to leave. The reason was that not only was everything over inside the citadel, but the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo Parade was about to begin just outside.
Note: Although you are inside the citadel, you are actually outside most of the time. Sunscreen is recommended. Also, bring your own water .. it's over $2 a bottle at the snack bar.
From journal Canada Day: A Day-Long Family Party in Halifax
Editor Pick
Halifax Citadel
- May 12, 2006
- Rated 3 of 5 by
artslover from Calgary, Alberta
No matter where you are in Halifax, you cannot miss seeing the Citadel. Just look up the hill. The ramparts and fortification dominate the skyline.The star shaped Halifax Citadel was originally built by the British as fortification for Halifax, particularly, for protection of the navy in Halifax Harbour. Turned out the Citadel never saw any action, and since 1951, it has been a national historic site and run by Parks Canada. The granite walls and fortification have undergone extensive stabilization and restoration. During tourist season, the Citadel is a place where Canadians learn about their past and can appreciate through first-hand experience the realities of the 19th century as Canada was becoming a nation. There are guided tours and recreation of a 19th century Highland regiment stationed at the Citadel. There is also a library, shop and coffee bar.Unfortunately, during the off season, none of these things are happening. Only the firing of the noon gun happens each day (and is heard throughout the city) and the clock tower clock keeps ticking. However, the Citadel is still open so that a winter visitor can go in, wander around to see what the interior yard looks like (it is pretty barren) and climb the ramparts and get a 360 degree view from the top of the hill.Since I like getting a good view from high places when I go traveling, I decided to make the effort to go to the Citadel. There are two main ways to get there. Up a winding road, which can be done in a car, or on foot up the stairs which go past the clock tower. I decided to look at the clock tower close up so opted for the stairs.I discovered, in addition to getting a good view, a visit on foot to the Citadel was a good way to work off some calories. There are a lot of steps to get to the top. And the climbing does not stop. Once inside the Citadel, you need to climb some much shorter stairways to get to the top of the ramparts. From the ramparts you get a good view of Halifax, the harbour and across to the neighbouring city of Dartmouth.While a visit during the summer months would have been a lot more informative and entertaining, I would still recommend a visit to the Citadel for the views. Neither the shop nor coffee bar is open during the off season, so after you walk down from the Citadel and have developed a thirst, you can stop for a drink and a snack at the many restaurants and pubs at the foot of the hill.
From journal Halifax off season
Editor Pick
Halifax Citadel National Historic Park
- December 1, 2000
- Rated 3 of 5 by
Re Carroll from Abbotsford, British Columbia
This star shaped, stone fortress sits on a hill in the middle of the city and provides great views of the city and across the basin to Dartmouth. It was built in the mid 1800s and now features costumed interpreters that re enact daily life at the Citadel circa 1869. You can watch arms drills, bayonet exercises and firing demonstrations or watch the "soldiers' wives" as they go about their daily chores. Visit the soldiers' barracks, guardrooms and schoolroom where children are invited to sit in on the lessons. There is an audio visual presentation on the history of Halifax as well as an Army Museum. The noon gun is fired daily and can be heard throughout the city.
From journal Happy in Halifax
Editor Pick
The Citadel
- September 2, 2000
- Rated 3 of 5 by
superpurd from Williams Lake, British Columbia
The Citadel is a large fort constructed to protect the citizens of the city from attack. Apparently, it was never used. We would recommend the guided tour through the facility. The various buildings are manned with people in period costumes who tell you how things were done in those days. Some very interesting living conditions. The fire the cannons at 12:00, there are bands touring the grounds at different times. We saw a bagpipe and drum band. It is worth a visit. I suggest you could spend anywhere from an hour to a half day here.
From journal Halifax and areas close by