Citadelle Laferrière

Citadelle Laferrière is a mountaintop fortress in Milot and a World Heritage Site in Haiti. Its stone walls rise about 40 meters high from their foundation, while casemates, courtyards, and storage rooms spread across an area equivalent to several football fields.

Henri Christophe ordered the fortress built starting in 1804 to defend the young Haiti against possible attacks by European powers. The construction lasted until 1817 and employed tens of thousands of workers who hauled stones up the steep mountain and stacked the massive walls.

The fortress takes its name from Jean-Jacques Dessalines, who carried the title Laferrière during the independence struggle and is honored as a hero. Visitors today see the thick walls and casemates that stand as a symbol of successful resistance against colonial powers and occupy a firm place in the collective memory of the Haitian people.

The climb begins in Milot and follows a steep mountain path that can be completed on foot or by horse. Sturdy footwear is advisable because the trail is rocky and becomes slippery in places, especially after rainfall.

Hundreds of cannons still stand in their positions along the walls and in the casemates, many bearing European maker marks from the 18th century. The fortress also features large cisterns and storage chambers designed so that thousands of defenders could survive for several months without resupply.

Location: Milot

Part of: National History Park

GPS coordinates: 19.57361,-72.24389

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:18