The Citadelle Laferriere is a massive stone fortress in northern Haiti approximately 27 km south of Cap Haitien, was built under the direction of Henri Christophe. Built by between 1805 and 1820 as part of a system of fortifications designed to keep the newly-independent nation of Haiti safe from French attempts to re-establish slavery. The Citadelle Laferriere was built several miles inland, and atop the 914 m Bonnet a L`Eveque, in order to deter attack and to provide a lookout into numerous nearby valleys. It is possible to view Cap-Haitien and the adjoining Caribbean Sea from the roof of the fortress. On clear days it is said that Cuba, the neighboring island to the West, can be seen.
