Description of Historic Place

Within the ditch across from the Casemates in front of the Richmond Bastion, Building 26 of the Quebec Citadel National Historic Site of Canada, also known as the former Caponier, is concealed with only the curved stone façade pierced with a series of loopholes visible. The top of the building is hidden by the glacis, which slopes down toward the city, making Building 26 practically invisible. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

Building 26 is a Classified Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental value.

Historical Value
Building 26 is one of the best examples illustrating the defence of British North America during the period in which the Citadel was completed. Built in the west counterscarp of the Citadel outside the walls, the building was intended to command the lower ditch. Building 26 is also strongly associated with the development of the City of Québec as the Citadel had a major impact on the civilian administration during the last century.

Architectural Value
Building 26 is a very good example of British military defence buildings with excellent functional design and high quality craftsmanship. It is distinguished by its unique shape and functional, solid masonry construction.

The Environmental Value
Designed mostly underground to blend in visually with the fortifications and so that the loopholes looked out on a section of the main ditch, in front of the Richmond Bastion, Building 26 is situated across from the Casemates. It is smaller in scale than its neighbouring defensive works but its materials and design harmonize well with and reinforces the historical military character of its fortress setting.

Sources: Rhona Godspeed, The Citadel, Québec, Québec, Federal Heritage Building Report 89-163; Former Caponiere, Building No.26, The Citadel, Québec, Québec, Heritage Character Statement, 89-163.

Character-Defining Elements

The character defining elements of Building 26 should be respected.

Its functional, defensive military design and high quality craftsmanship and materials such as: its visible curved façade faced in cut stone laid in irregular courses and pierced by many loopholes located in the lower part of the wall which runs into the wall of the ditch; the roof of the building hidden by the glacis, which slopes down toward the city making the Citadelle, Building 26 practically invisible; its interior with its walls faced in brick and battered earth floor, compartmentalized and vaulted throughout; its seven casemates with the central casemate deeper than the others accommodating a spiral staircase leading to the long tunnel that runs under the ditch to the casemates.

The manner in which Building No. 26 reinforces the historical defensive military character of its fort setting located in the Québec Citadel.

Heritage Character Statement

Disclaimer - The heritage character statement was developed by FHBRO to explain the reasons for the designation of a federal heritage building and what it is about the building that makes it significant (the heritage character). It is a key reference document for anyone involved in planning interventions to federal heritage buildings and is used by FHBRO in their review of interventions.

The Former Caponiere was constructed around 1823-1830 under the supervision of Elias Walker Durnford. Located within the counterscarp opposite the Richmond Bastion, it is accessible only through the Casemates (Building No. 3). The Former Caponiere has not been altered over the years. It is currently unoccupied and is being used for storage. Building No. 26 is part of the Citadel of Québec, a National Historic Site. The building is under the jurisdiction of Parks Canada. See FHBRO Report 88- 161.

Reasons for Designation
The former Caponiere has been designated “Classified” because of its historical significance, its fine design, the quality of construction and its environmental significance.

Building No. 26, concealed within the counterscarp, is an imporant element of the ramparts associated with the defence of British North America during the period that followed the War of 1812. It accentuates the military character of the Citadel, which had a major impact on the civilian administration of Québec and also on local development during the last century.

The Former Caponiere was built to command part of the ditch opposite the Richmond Bastion. It therefore follows the shape of the counterscarp, and only its facade, pierced with loopholes, is visible. The cut stone and brick building is relatively well preserved, which indicates careful construction and a choice of materials generally appropriate to the characteristics of the site.

Constructed so that the loopholes would cover part of the main ditch in front of the Richmond Bastion, the Former Caponiere contributes to the military character of the site. It blends well with the other defensive works in the fortress in terms of materials and design.

Character Defining Elements
The heritage character of the Former Carponiere resides in its architectural design, materials and construction, and in the building’s relationship with its site.
Building No. 26 is concealed within the counterscarp; all that is visible is the curved facade pierced by many loopholes. The top of the building is hidden by the glacis, which slopes down toward the city, making the Former Caponiere practically invisible. The visible facade is faced in cut stone laid in irregular courses. The loopholes are located in the lower part of the wall, which runs into the wall of the ditch.

The building maintains its original appearance, and it would be desirable to preserve that integrity. It is therefore recommended that new joints and replacement stones be made to blend seamlessly with the counterscarp wall and that they be identical to the original elements in material, colour, profile and type of bond. Special care should be taken when sealing the roof of the Former Caponiere, and it is also important to avoid changing its overall appearance.

The interior of the Former Caponiere is compartmentalized and vaulted throughout, which afforded better protection against enemy attack. There are seven casemates measuring 14 feet long and 10 feet wide. The exception is the central casemate, which is deeper because it accommodates a spiral staircase leading to the long tunnel that runs under the ditch to the Casemates (Building No. 3). The vaults and walls are faced in brick, and the floor is battered earth, as they were originally. Semi-circular doorways connect the casemates.

Restoration of this building and the long access tunnel that runs under the ditch to the Casemates should respect the rudimentary and functional appearance that characterizes the structure. The original configuration of the space should also not be altered, because it is an integral part of the building’s design.

The heritage character of the Former Caponiere also resides in the building’s relationship with the other defensive works of the Citadel, in particular the counterscarp and the Casemates (Building No. 3). In order to preserve that important relationship, elements like fences and signage should not be introduced near the Former Caponiere.