 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
HAITIAN HISTORY
In the mid-1700, y this time, the colonial administration
was convinced that a capital needed to be chosen, in order
better to control the French portion of Santo-Domingo.
For a time, Petit-Goâve and Léogane vied for this honor,
but they were both eventually ruled out. First of all, they
were not centrally located. Petit-Goâve's climate was too
malarial and Léogane's topography made it difficult to
mount a defence of it. A new city had to be built --
Port-au-Prince.
was convinced that a capital needed to be chosen, in order
better to control the French portion of Santo-Domingo.
For a time, Petit-Goâve and Léogane vied for this honor,
but they were both eventually ruled out. First of all, they
were not centrally located. Petit-Goâve's climate was too
malarial and Léogane's topography made it difficult to
mount a defence of it. A new city had to be built --
Port-au-Prince.
Colonial History
In 1770, Port-au-Prince replaced Cap-Français (the modern Cap-Haïtien) as capital of the colony of Saint-Domingue, and in 1804 it
became the capital of newly-independent Haïti. Before Haïtian independence it was captured by British troops on June 4, 1794. During
the French and Haïtian Revolutions, it was known as Port-Républicain, before being renamed Port-au-Prince by Jacques I, emperor of
Haïti. When Haïti was divided between a kingdom in the north and a republic in the south, Port-au-Prince was the capital of the
republic, under the leadership of Alexandre Pétion. Henri Christophe renamed the city Port-aux-Crimes after the assassination of
Jean-Jacques Dessalines at Pont Larnage, (now known as Pont-Rouge, and located north of the city.)
The culture of the city lies in the center around the National Palace. The national palace was one of the early structures of the city but
was destroyed and then rebuilt in 1918.
In 1770, Port-au-Prince replaced Cap-Français (the modern Cap-Haïtien) as capital of the colony of Saint-Domingue, and in 1804 it
became the capital of newly-independent Haïti. Before Haïtian independence it was captured by British troops on June 4, 1794. During
the French and Haïtian Revolutions, it was known as Port-Républicain, before being renamed Port-au-Prince by Jacques I, emperor of
Haïti. When Haïti was divided between a kingdom in the north and a republic in the south, Port-au-Prince was the capital of the
republic, under the leadership of Alexandre Pétion. Henri Christophe renamed the city Port-aux-Crimes after the assassination of
Jean-Jacques Dessalines at Pont Larnage, (now known as Pont-Rouge, and located north of the city.)
The culture of the city lies in the center around the National Palace. The national palace was one of the early structures of the city but
was destroyed and then rebuilt in 1918.
Of interest downtown is the Cité de l'Exposition or Bicentenaire which was remodeled for the 1949 bicentennial, the Iron Market, where one can find colorful
artisan works, and the Cathedral Notre-Dame. A few miles west of the commercial quarter, the Champs de Mars is a large park dominated by the white,
triple-domed presidential palace, typical of the colonial architectural heritage
the rue Capois, stands the famous gingerbread Oloffson Hotel, setting for Graham Greene's novel The Comedians.
the rue Capois, stands the famous gingerbread Oloffson Hotel, setting for Graham Greene's novel The Comedians.
at Thomazeau.at Thomazeau.
the rue Capois, stands the famous gingerbread Oloffson Hotel, setting for Graham Greene's novel The Comedians.
at Thomazeau.at Thomazeau.
sailboats leave from Montrouis, crossing to Anse-à-Galets on La Gonâve Island.sailboats leave from Montrouis, crossing to Anse-à-Galets on La Gonâve Island.
| NEXT PAGE |