Description of Historic Place

Within the ditch at the west corner of the Quebec Citadel National Historic Site of Canada, Building 25, also known as the former Caponier, is concealed with only the stone façade and entrance visible. The façade has two faces set at a slight angle to each other and is pierced with loopholes. The roof of the building is concealed by the glacis, which slopes down toward the Plains of Abraham, making the building practically invisible. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

Building 25 is a Classified Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental value.

Historical Value
Building 25 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, Building 25 was intended to command the lower ditch. It 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 25 is a very good example of British military defence buildings with excellent functional design and high quality craftsmaship. It is distinguished by its unique shape and functional, solid masonry construction.

The Environmental Value
Strategically located within the counterscarp at the west corner of the Citadel, and designed to blend in visually with the fortification, Building 25 reinforces the historical military character of the Citadel and harmonizes well with the other 19th-century military structures in materials, scale and design. Stretching from the west of this corner of the Citadel are the grassy, rolling hills of National Battlefields Park.

Sources: Rhona Godspeed, The Citadel, Québec, Québec, Federal Heritage Building Report 89-163; Former Caponier, Building No.25, The Citadel, Québec, Québec, Heritage Character Statement, 89-163.

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements of Building 25 should be respected.

Its functional defensive military design and high quality craftsmanship and materials such as:
-its stone façade, which has two faces, set at a slight angle to each other and pierced with loopholes;
-the roof of the building concealed by the glacis, which slopes down toward the Plains of Abraham making the former caponier practically invisible;
-its wall of regular bond, except for the lower part, which is part of the wall of the old ditch;
-the entrance located in the counterscarp of the main ditch at a level higher than the rest of the building;
-its interior vaulting throughout the long, narrow shooting gallery and stairs to the entry door and the exposed cut stone walls and vaults.

The manner in which Building 25 reinforces the historical defensive military character of its fort setting located in the Québec Citadel.