A French Fortress

 Hullo! Today we are visiting Castle Hill in Placentia, it's a National Historic Site!

It was built by the French!

Cause they had staked a claim to this part of Newfoundland and needed to protect their fishing rights.

There were actually several forts - this one up on the hill, and then another one at the entrance to the harbour.

Let's take a look around!

It was built in the late 1600s by the French and called Fort Royal.

The walls have been rebuilt over the years, many times.

Because in 1713, the fortress (and town) were transferred to Britain at the Treaty of Utrecht.

So, technically, this fortress never fell in battle. It does have a great view though!

The gunners would have to have their distance well-measured though... otherwise they might have hit some houses!

There's the lift bridge and the harbour in behind it.

After the British took over, they kind of let it fall into disrepair a few times, before refortifying it.

You know... I visited Fort Rodd over on the West Coast last year. It too was a National Historic Site.

So really, I've got it covered - fortresses in the east and fortresses in the west!

 

It's pretty cool, but not as extensive as the one on the West Coast. This one wasn't used during the Second World War.

But it's still cool!

 

Fire away!!!

When we were checking out this place, we looked at Google satellite view and couldn't see a visitor's centre anywhere! But reviews said there was one... that's because it is basically underground!

I met some more puffins!

And learned a bit about the fishing industry here...

They dried their filleted codfish on the rocks... interesting.

That's what the fortress would have looked like back in the day.

And some of the soldiers... hmmm... kind of scruffy looking!

Not anyone you would want to meet in a dark alley!