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I love visiting forts so I knew the Halifax Citadel was a must visit when we docked in Halifax last September. I didn’t know much about it except for the blurb that was included in the “What’s Ashore” portion of our ship’s daily In Port newletter.
Reconstructed in 1856 as it had been several times prior to that year, the original fortress was erected in 1749. Built into the hill to protect it from heavy artillery, the thick walls collpased regularly in spring thaws supplying builders with steady seasonal repair work.
Not a lot to go on, but I’d also seen images of it via the ship’s excursions TV channel. That’s how I knew it was a place I’d like to see. I figured I stood a chance of adding a new haunt jaunt to my collection.
GHOSTS IN THE CITADEL
I was right! The Citadel (as the locals call it) is loaded with ghosts. So much so they even offer weekend ghost tours.
According to the Halifax Citadel Regimental Association’s website (who conducts the ghost tours), they claim the Citadel is Canada’s most haunted historic site. If you take their tour a costumed guide will lead you by candlelight through the prison cells, tunnels, and restricted areas while treating you to “36 true accounts of ghost sightings at their actual location.”
NO GHOST TOUR, JUST A HAUNT JAUNT
This is, again, one of the drawbacks of trying to Haunt Jaunt while on a cruise. You’re not in port during some of the prime times…like at night to do a ghost tour like this.
However, I’m not always interested in taking ghost tours. Haunt Jaunting is all about traveling to allegedly haunted locations and experiencing the flavor of the place.
Did I feel there were ghosts lingering in the Citadel? You bet! It was easy to imagine, especially with the Highlanders in their regimental garb all about.
PICTURES AND VIDEO OF THE CITADEL
Below are some of the photos I took of the Halifax Citadel, as well as a video I put together. I used the video on my camera so it’s not the best quality. (It also doesn’t help I still have a lot to learn about taking video.)
However, I had some fun adding captions and poking fun of myself. Plus, I caught the Highlanders doing a firing drill and firing the Noon Gun. With the background bagpipes playing I captured lots of neat noises!
Courtney Mroch is a globe-trotting restless spirit who’s both possessed by wanderlust and the spirit of adventure, and obsessed with true crime, horror, the paranormal, and weird days. Perhaps it has something to do with her genes? She is related to occult royalty, after all. Marie Laveau, the famous Voodoo practitioner of New Orleans, is one of her ancestors. (Yes, really! As explained here.) That could also explain her infatuation with skeletons.
Speaking of mystical, to learn how Courtney channeled her battle with cancer to conjure up this site, check out HJ’s Origin Story.
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Great blog post. We have a ton of ghost stories around Halifax because it is one of the oldest ports. You can take a ghost tour in Downtown Halifax. Some of my favourite spots on the tour are The Five Fisherman Restaurant and the head in the window at St. Paul’s church. You can read about them here: http://hubpages.com/hub/Ghosts-of-the-Halifax-Explosion-1917
There are also many good stories around Nova Scotia. Check out my post on the Fortress of Louisbourg in Cape Breton. It’s got some great ghost stories as well. My daughter and I went there when it was closed and it was eerie indeed. http://www.novascotiablogs.com/ns_my_oyster/2009/09/the-fortress-of-louisbourg–living-breathing-history.html
I’m glad you enjoyed the Halifax Citadel. I hope you get a chance to come back and visit some of our other ghostly haunts.
Cynthia (from Nova Scotia Tourism, aka Cynatnovascotia)
HI Cynthia! THANKS so much for your comment. I LOVED HALIFAX AND NOVA SCOTIA!!! We had the chance to see Fortress Louisburg when we docked in Sydney. Sadly, we opted not to do the tour that day. (Which actually proved okay. I had a rough day that day and needed some down time. So we just strolled around Sydney for a bit before heading back to the ship where I took a much needed long nap. However, I REALLY would’ve liked to see Fortress Louisburg…)
I plan to write about Halifax’s haunts in general (as well as Fortress Louisburg and Sydney). I was fascinated by everything in Nova Scotia. So much history and culture to learn about. Not to mention beautiful scenery and super friendly people!
I’ll be sure to check out the links you mentioned for further info. THANKS so much again for sharing them!!!!
P.S. I’m also now following you on Twitter. Thx for letting me know your Twitter handle! 😉
My team will be investigating the Fort next week. We’re very excited about being the first paranormal investigation team to be granted after hours access to investigate the reports of paranormal activity. I’ll be sure to let you know if we capture any evidence to support any of the many sightings they’ve had over the years. We’ll be running 5 night vision cameras, so I’m hoping we’re able to cover the crucial areas.
Kimberley – Light Workers Paranormal Investigation
OH WOW! Kimberley, I am SOOOOO excited for you! I was ENTHRALLED with the Citadel. I want to to back to Halifax so very badly. Do you have a website of some place where you will post your findings? I would love to know how your investigation went.