Project

The Citadelle Henry, never attacked by the French, was nonetheless badly damaged by heavy rainfall. WMF focused much of its efforts on protecting the structure from further water infiltration. To begin, the conservators concentrated their efforts on the iconic pentagonal turret whose massive 175-foot (53-meter) promontory and pointed lower rampart command the approach to the citadel. (...)

The Citadelle Henry, never attacked by the French, was nonetheless badly damaged by heavy rainfall. WMF focused much of its efforts on protecting the structure from further water infiltration. To begin, the conservators concentrated their efforts on the iconic pentagonal turret whose massive 175-foot (53-meter) promontory and pointed lower rampart command the approach to the citadel. The roof that protected this integral part of the fortress from water damage had eroded, so the team framed a new roof of corrugated aluminum over wooden joists.

Next, the team spent a year and a half planning the framing and roofing for the superstructure that was designed to protect the upper ramparts of the citadel. In order to ensure the stability and longevity of the new roofs, the team had to reconstruct the upper portions of the citadel’s walls. During the process, UNESCO worked with the World Monuments Fund to provide a French expert in 19th-century building techniques and conservation to train members of the local Haitian community.