HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA HIGHLIGHTS

                                    Interesting City Sites

               

         Halifax, the 250-year-old provincial capital with a population of 300,000, is also the province’s largest city. The city has a long sea faring and military history. The deep ice-free natural harbor is the core of existence and the city’s most outstanding resource. The ten-mile long harbor is shaped like a spoon with the wide bowl at the end.

     The changing of the guard at the Citadel takes place on the hour, so we aimed to be there in time to see it. After a two-hour rest the guards are again on duty where they stand at attention for an hour. During that time they are allowed to take 15 paces a total of seven times to keep the circulation flowing in their legs. The Citadel, is a hilltop, star shaped, granite fortress that dominates the city. Overlooking the harbor it offers a strategic view of the bay and a magnificent view of the city.

            The present Citadel, completed in 1856, took 27 years to build and is the fourth built on the site. Its construction was at the urging of the Duke of Wellington with a cost of 242,000 pounds. In its day the Citadel represented the best of defensive military technology. However, a shot has never been fired.

            From 1749-1906 the Citadel was under British rule. In 1906 it was transferred to the Canadian Department of Defense, and in 1956 designated a National Historic Site. During the summer, college students dressed in period uniforms and kilts of the 78^th Highlanders, who originally manned the fort, demonstrate various military drills. The changing of the guard was as precise and professional as that of any military career man. I loved the kilts the college students were wearing. What a great way to learn one’s city’s history.

Prince Edward, father of Queen Victoria, commissioned the Old Town Clock  in 1803. The clock on each side is a different size, as the population in each direction, N,E,S,W, determined the clock size. Staring at this unusual four-sided clock all I could say was, “Amazing.”

           

            Point Pleasant Park is still leased from England for the sum of one shilling a year. Each year there is a ceremony when an official from Halifax gives the crown the one shilling. Then it is given back to Halifax because the price has never changed, but the shilling is no longer available, so that one is guarded carefully.

The Public Gardens (1865) cover 17 acres in the heart of the city. Early afternoon most of us elected to walk through the lovely Victorian gardens. Part way through the park we heard music. We stopped and listened to the concert being played in the quaint gazebo. Talk about perfect timing! It was a great surprise on a gorgeous day. The flowers in the park were lovely and it seemed everything was in bloom.