Citadel of Quebec
par Pépin, Carl
The Citadel of Quebec is the largest militaryfortification in Canada still in active service. Perched on top of Cap Diamantadjacent to the Plains of Abraham, it is an integral part of the city's olddefensive works. The Citadel was built by the British in the early 19th centuryto protect Quebec City against American invasion. Today, it is the home of theRoyal 22e Régiment of the Canadian Armed Forces and also houses anofficial residence of the Governor General of Canada. The Citadel of Quebec isrecognised as a National Historic Site of Canada.
Article disponible en français : Citadelle de Québec
Contents
The Citadel
Nicknamed the "Gibraltar of North America," the Citadel of Quebec is thelargest fortification in Canada Its design is a "sunken" or "flat"castramentation typical of late 18th and early 19th century defensive works.The Citadel was built atop of Cap-Diamant, 100 metres [328 feet] above sealevel, during the British regime under the direction of Lieutenant ColonelElias Walker Durnford, an officer of the Royal Engineers. Its star-like shapewas inspired by the fortifications designed by the French engineer Sébastien LePrestre de Vauban in the 17th century. Covering 2.3 square kilometres [37 acres],the Citadel is an irregular four-sided polygon characterized by flanking geometryin which each angle constitutes a bastion or half bastion.
The outside walls of the Citadel were erected between 1820 and 1831, but workon the interior buildings was not completed until 1851. Built at a cost ofapproximately $35 million in today's dollars, the Citadel was intended toprotect Quebec City and the St. Lawrence River against future American invasionafter the wars of 1775-76 and 1812.
The southern flank of the fortress is protected by natural obstacles:the cliffs of Cap Diamant and the St. Lawrence River. The eastern, western andnorthern flanks are defended by four major bastions, which were equipped withheavy artillery that could be used to defend both the river and areas furtherinland. In addition, there are three curtain walls and an imposing system ofditches and triangular earthen ravelinsjutting out from the bastions. The stone used to build the Citadel came fromthree main sites in Cap-Rouge, Neuville and L'Ange-Gardien. Building andcasemate interiors were primarily finished in Scottish brick that had been usedas ballast on ships sailing home empty to Canada after delivering their cargo.
The vast majority of the 25 buildings inside the Citadel, all of which areequipped with loopholes, were erected by the British. However, two olderstructures date from the French regime: the Cap Diamant Redoubt in the King'sBastion, and the powder magazine in the Prince of Wales Bastion, built in 1693and 1750 respectively. The Citadel is also home to the Royal 22e Régimentheadquarters and museum and is an active Canadian Forces base.
The History of the Citadel: Continuity and Change
After the British conquest in the second half of the 18th century, theproblem of Quebec City's defences grew more acute. Fears of a potential Frenchattempt to recapture the colony, concerns about a possible uprising by thelocal French population and war with the Americans forced the British todevelop a new defensive strategy for the city. Despite Great Britain'sfinancial woes, talk of a citadel was in the air.
Between 1778 and 1783, during the American War of Independence, woodenredoubts and earthworks were constructed on Cap Diamant under the supervisionof engineer William Twiss. This was the famous "temporary citadel." Twiss'successors, including engineers Gother Mann and E.W. Durnford, readily embracedthe idea of integrating new defences into the old French defensive system of1745, known as the enceinte. Giventhe strategic value of Cap Diamant, this idea made perfect sense.
The new fortress had to be integrated into the existing defensive works.It had to serve both as a major link in the existing chain of reinforcedramparts and a structure capable of standing alone as the ultimate refuge incase of attack. The Citadel was not necessarily meant to be the central elementin Quebec City's defences, but was designed to play more of a supporting rolewhile at the same time serving as the cornerstone of the system. The fortressthat Durnford began working on in 1820 was the last in a series of improvementsenvisioned by Mann.
Soldiers of the British garrison did the lion's share of the construction work.The Citadel, which was also designed to serve as a barracks and arms depot,could house between 1,000 and 1,500 soldiers and their equipment. It was rare,however, for the full complement of troops to be stationed there. In mid-19thcentury Quebec City, the British garrison was split between the Citadel, theJesuit Barracks (where City Hall stands today), and Artillery Park.
The Citadel's role has evolved over time and although it was never tested inbattle, it has been continuously occupied by the military throughout itshistory. In the years following its completion, changes were made to thedefensive system in Quebec City and the surrounding area. For example, the gunson the bastions were replaced by more modern artillery. Tensions during theAmerican Civil War (1861-1865) spurred British authorities to strengthen thecity's defences further. Between 1865 and 1871, three forts (including Fort No.1 in Lauzon) were built on the Lévis heights on the south shore to providesupport for the Citadel.
The advent of Confederation in 1867 along with improvements in relationswith the United States led Great Britain to reduce its military presence inCanada. The British garrison gradually began to withdraw from Quebec City in1871. The Citadel was converted into an artillery school for the newly formedCanadian Militia. It also remained an important site for basic infantrytraining, a role it continues to play today.
After the First World War, in 1920 the Royal22e Régiment (R22R) was officially assigned to the Citadel and has beenthere ever since. Today, the fortress is still an active Canadian Forces baseand serves as the headquarters of R22R's second battalion. The Citadel hasplayed host to many important events within its walls over the years, includingthe Quebec conferences of 1943 and 1944, where important decisions were madeabout Allied military strategy in the Second World War. In addition, GovernorLord Dufferin (1872-1878) made the Citadel an official residence of therepresentative of the British crown in Canada.
The Heritage Value of the Citadel
The Citadel of Quebec is a National Historic Site of Canada. It owesthis designation to its historic importance, its architectural significance andits strategic location in the heart of Quebec City. Today, the Citadel is anessential stop for anyone interested in discovering and exploring the militaryhistory of Quebec City and Canada. As part of the Historic District of OldQuebec-a UNESCO world heritage site since 1985-it is unquestionably one of thecity's leading tourist attractions.
The Citadel stands as a reminder of the historic challenges of defendingQuebec City and the colony. From the days of New France through the British andCanadian regimes, it has played a pivotal role in the city's defences, as bornout by the huge investments made in the fortifications. Its imposing presenceon Cap Diamant also testifies to the site's strategic importance, from the daysof Governor Frontenac to the founding of modern-day Canada in 1867.
Other buildings and symbols at the site recall additional aspects ofCanada's military heritage. The Vimy Cross, for example, pays tribute to theCanadian soldiers who died in the war of 1914-1918. The Tenaille, a formermilitary prison built in 1842, evokes the hardships early soldiers faced. Alongthe southern wall is a long building dating from 1831. It is divided into threedistinct sections-the Governor General's residence near the King's Bastion, thecommander's residence and the Royal 22e Regiment Officers Mess. A militaryhospital completed in 1849 now serves as regimental headquarters for the "VanDoos," as the regiment is affectionately known.
The Citadel of Quebec is a masterpiece of military architecture by anystandard. An extension of the urban landscape "sunken" into the Cap Diamantcliffs and protected by multiple defences, it is a remarkable embodiment of thearchitectural and military knowledge of its time. It is also the ultimatesymbol of Britain's military presence in Quebec City and the rest of Canadaprior to Confederation.
Bringing the Citadel to Life
Today, the Citadel of Quebec is one of the few places in Quebec wherecivilians and soldiers cross paths on a daily basis. Given its status as an activemilitary base, the presence of soldiers is only natural, but civilians alsohelp bring this Quebec City heritage landmark to life. During the summer,members of the Royal 22nd Regiment, who consider the Citadel theirhome base, keep 19th century British military traditions alive withpublic presentations of ceremonies such as the changing of the guard and thebeating of the retreat. The ceremonies, with their colourful uniforms, marchingbands and regimental goat, always draw large crowds of tourists.
The Museum of the Royal 22e Régiment, founded in 1950,boasts prestigious collections of weapons, uniforms, medals and manuscriptsfrom three centuries of military life in Quebec's historic capital. The museum,which covers the French, British and Canadian periods, is an official member ofthe Canadian Forces Museum network.
Year-round guided tours for the general public and for school groups areanother way of sharing the Citadel's heritage. Depending on the clientele,tours may include a visit of the site, educational games or even plays. Inaddition to these initiatives, the Department of National Defence is preparing,at the time of writing, to inject $100 million over ten years for some muchneeded renovations.
Thus, after having played a central role in strengthening Quebec'scoastal and land defences, the Citadel is now one of Quebec City's leadingheritage attractions.
Carl Pépin
Historian, Ph.D.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
CHARBONNEAU,André, Yvon DESLOGES and Marc LAFRANCE, Québec, ville fortifiée, du 17e au 19esiècle, Ottawa, Parks Canada, 1982. 491 pages.
CHARTRAND,René. Le patrimoine militaire canadien. D'hier à aujourd'hui. Tome II.1755-1871, Montréal, Art Global inc, 1995. 238 pages.
DESLOGES,Yvon, Les forts de la pointe Lévys, Étude en archéologie, architecture ethistoire, National Historic Sites, Parks Service, Environment Canada, Ottawa,1991. 73 pages.
FILTEAU,Gérald. Par la bouche de mes canons! La ville de Québec face à l'ennemi,Sillery, Septentrion, 1990. 271 pages.
HOGG, Ian,Fortifications: histoire mondiale de l'architecture militaire, Paris, Atlas,1983. 256 pages.
SANTERRE,Simon, Le patrimoine archéologique des fortifications au Québec, Inventaire dessites archéologiques du Québec, Québec, Ministère de la Culture desCommunications et de la Condition féminine. 154 pages. Available online on thewebsite of Ministère de la Culture, des Communications et de la ConditionFéminine du Québec: http://www.mcccf.gouv.qc.ca/index
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