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.