Cultural sightseeing in Haiti. What to visit - museums, temples, castles and palaces

For a small island country, Haiti has a rich history and culture. The preferences of the county’s citizens were changing over the centuries. They were fighting against slavery, fighting for independence, and then suffered from the submissive position once again. The first constitution of the free country was signed in 1803. After that, a series of governmental coups happened in the country. Haiti is a poor country nevertheless tourism is slowly developing in it. The beauty of local nature and beaches is unrivaled. An interesting fact – in 1975, the future president of the United States of America Bill Clinton and his wife spent their honeymoon in Haiti.

On the north coast, in the city of Cap-Haitien that is the second-largest city in the country, tourists can see many interesting examples of classical Spanish architecture. Green streets with old trees, Cap-Haitien Cathedral, and the Palace of Sans-Souci that once was amazing visitors with its luxury and could complete with Versailles – these signature elements make the city very attractive for travelers. Walls of the Citadelle Laferrière (was built at the beginning of the 19th century) have become something like a calling card of the country and the landmark that is famous beyond the borders of Haiti. There is one more thing that makes Cap-Haitien special. Here, on the site of the modern city, Christopher Columbus reached the island for the first time.

In the capital of the country, Port-au-Prince, tourists can visit the National Museum of Haiti that has an exhibition dedicated to the period of slavery, Spanish and French reign. There is a precious item that brings us to the moment when the island was discovered – a fragment of Santa Maria, the largest ship that participated in the voyage of Christopher Columbus. The ship sank near the Haiti coast. Of course, tourists always visit the Champ de Mars, the central square plaza of the capital. The historical fortress of St Jacques de Fermathe and the Presidential Palace are also popular tourist destinations. The latter is an important architectural landmark of the 20th century, and it looks much like the Congress building in the United States. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

In the capital’s national museum - Musée du Panthéon National – tourists can see paintings, different artifacts, and colorful street fountains. Cathédrale Notre-Dame is the most famous church in the city. It was built in 1884 and significantly damaged during the earthquake in 2010. The shrine’s ceiling was ruined but the walls remained standing. It took several years to restore the building, and now it is open for excursions again. The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption or simply the Port-au-Prince Cathedral is located nearby. Contrary to the elegant Notre-Dame, the architecture of this cathedral has many rectangular elements.

To the south-east of Port-au-Prince lies the city of Petion-Ville. This is a large suburb of Haiti’s capital. It is safer and local people are wealthier than in Port-au-Prince. That is why Petion-Ville is more suitable for tourists. There are many art galleries, popular restaurants, shops, and nightclubs here. Rich Haitians and foreign guests prefer to settle in Petion-Ville. To the east of the capital, tourists will find a small settlement called Croix-des-Bouquets. This town has long traditions of iron forging. Local craftsmen enjoy making artworks with symbols and rituals of the Vodou cult, and so these masters are famous as “Vodou forgers”. Art workshops in Croix-des-Bouquets and metal sculpture exhibitions are a typical destination in almost excursions in the country.

The city of Jacmel is located on the south coast. This is a popular choice for everyone interested in architectural landmarks. The settlement still has many buildings from the French colonial period. As local architectural landmarks are in a much better state than in Port-au-Prince, Jacmel is a stop in many excursion tours in Haiti. There are also many exhibitions and art galleries in this settlement. Tourists interested in the Vodou culture will also find it interesting to visit Jacmel because this tradition is still very strong in the city. Head to the western coast and you will reach another popular Haitian city, Les Cayes. This is a typical stop for travelers on their way to Ile a Vache. Vache Island is a modern resort with multiple hotels and various water sports. As Ile a Vache is targeted at tourists, it is absolutely safe.

Lotteries have become a local attraction and an essential part of the lives of local people. Even adult Haitians might not know that Africa is a continent and not a single country, but absolutely everyone knows what a lottery is and how it works. Lotteries are entertainment and work at the same time. It is possible to bet with 30 cents and win 100 dollars. There are no lottery tickets in Haiti. People make bets – bet sizes are indicated on a large board that is always placed at the entrance to the lottery house. The lottery drawing usually happens twice a day, in the morning and the evening. There are many lottery houses across the country. Haiti suffers from unemployment, and lotteries are the only opportunity for many people to get at least some money.

Local public transport deserves a separate mention. Buses and pickup trucks that transfer passengers are always painted in bright colors. It is easy to distinguish them on the streets, but local vehicles might look unexpectedly colorful for unprepared tourists. The back wall of a bus can have a portrait of a famous person. Side windows and the roof can also have various decorations. Religious décor is a popular choice. Most windshields are also tuned – sometimes the driver has only a small transparent area for observation. Front and rear guards often have spikes in order to prevent people from sitting on them.

Excursion programs in Haiti usually cover the capital’s attractions including Rhum Barbancourt (the famous rum producer), Jacmel port, the nearby Bassin Bleu Waterfall, Fort-de-Ping National Park, and Pic Macaya National Park. The latter offers a fantastic view of the southern provinces and the coast. Labadee Peninsula is a private territory of the American company Royal Caribbean International. There are multiple hotels here, as well as a port suitable for large cruise ships.