The main entrance to the Citadel of Québec, Dalhousie Gate is the only one that was not rebuilt in the 20th century to accommodate automobile traffic. It appears in Hawkins’s Picture of Quebec, published in 1834. It depicts the area as it appeared at a time when the military presence in the city was still considerable.

1829 - 1834

The rampart gates of Québec City in the early 19th century

Building began on Québec City’s fortifications in 1690 under the French Regime. The French sought to surround the town with ramparts to protect it from the British. The British indeed invaded Québec City in 1759. They too recognized the fortifications’ strategic value and subsequently rebuilt them. By the 19th century, Québec City residents were well accustomed to living with this military inheritance. The rampart gates were simply a part of their daily surroundings. Explore the works reflecting this period!

Dalhousie Gate

Robert Auchmuty Sproule, after Alexander Jamieson Russell The main entrance to the Citadel of Québec, Dalhousie Gate is the only one that was not rebuilt in the 20th century to accommodate automobile traffic. It appears in Hawkins’s Picture of Quebec, published in 1834. It depicts the area as it appeared at a time when the military presence in the city was still considerable.

Chronoscope What do you notice about this scene? (unilingual French for a limited time)

Depicted period: 1834

Source: Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec Document in the public domain (free of copyright) - Date: 1834

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