The Citadelle

The Citadelle is a massive early-nineteenth-century structure. The Citadelle, commissioned by Haitian rebel Henri Christophe and erected by tens of thousands of ex-slaves, was the cornerstone of the newly independent Haiti's defensive plan against potential French encroachment.

The stronghold, which includes other smaller forts around the nation, is the sole African-derived military fortress in the New World, as well as the earliest example of African-derived colonial architecture, which it shares with Christophe's Sans-Souci Palace. The citadel, along with the aforementioned Sans-Souci, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982 and is widely considered as an emblem of the Caribbean nation.

Despite Haiti's shortcomings in preserving its own cultural artifacts, international organizations like the Global Heritage Fund, a non-profit organization based in California, have investigated the Citadelle for monument conservation, community development, training, and cultural heritage revitalization. The project would concentrate on the Citadelle and the adjoining Sans-Souci Palace, with the goal of conserving the monuments as safe tourist destinations to foster long-term local economic growth.

Location: Haiti