The parade ground
Stone walls and cannon.
WabbitWanderer from London, Canada — CC BY-SA 2.0 · WabbitWanderer from London, Canada — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Citobun — CC BY-SA 4.0 · daryl_mitchell from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada — CC BY-SA 2.0 · TravelingOtter from Houston, Texas, USA — CC BY-SA 2.0
The Citadel is a National Historic Site on a hill above central Halifax in Nova Scotia, run by Parks Canada. It is a star-shaped fort, and visitors come for its walls, ditches and parade ground, and for costumed soldier demonstrations, with wide views over the city and harbour. The British built the first defences in 1749, the year the city was founded, and rebuilt them repeatedly, so four forts have stood on the hill. The third, built between 1794 and 1800, was named Fort George. Parks Canada has restored the fourth and present fort to its appearance when built. Though never attacked, it was long the keystone in the defence of Halifax Harbour. You enter through a gate to a broad parade ground ringed by stone walls and vaults, with old cannon and a signal mast flying ships' flags. Staff in soldiers' uniforms perform drum, bagpipe and rifle demonstrations. Admission includes the Army Museum, and you can walk on the ramparts and in the deep grassy ditch. It is 400 m in a straight line from the city centre and 600 m from the Public Gardens, so both fit one walk. The ground has slopes, so wear comfortable shoes. The view from the hill is best on a clear day. Walking on the outer slope costs nothing.
Stone walls and cannon.
A grassy way between walls.
Included with admission.
Citadel Hill, central Halifax, Nova Scotia
No, but it was the keystone in the defence of Halifax Harbour.
Entry is free for those under 18, according to Parks Canada.
