Conservation Efforts Continue at Haiti's Citadelle Laferrière Fortress

A major preservation project is underway at Citadelle Laferrière in Haiti, the largest fortress in the Americas and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982. The initiative, which has lasted 25 years, involves reinforcing the structure against earthquakes and improving visitor access. The World Monuments Fund has contributed by waterproofing the fortress, installing a new roof, and reconstructing upper walls, while also collaborating with UNESCO to share 19th-century conservation techniques. The Haitian Institute for the Protection of National Heritage is currently sealing cracks and building supports. Originally constructed between 1805 and 1820 under King Henri Christophe to defend the newly independent nation, the fortress has faced damage from looting, earthquakes, and theft over centuries. The project is scheduled for completion by the end of this month.