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This 1806 scene highlights the importance of Holy Trinity Cathedral, a powerful Anglican symbol in the heart of Québec City. Built between 1800 and 1804, this religious building affirmed Britain’s rule of the former French colony. In building it, the aim was to rival the height of the statuesque Notre-Dame-de-Québec Basilica, an imposing Catholic monument.
1806 - 1840

Buildings as power symbols

In Québec City, like in all the world’s capitals, religious and political authorities used buildings to symbolize their power. There is, however, a distinctive feature of Québec City that makes it architecturally unique. Over the course of the city’s history, French and British influences have commingled, forming an ensemble of buildings unlike anywhere else. This album presents buildings—some French, some English—that played a part in the city’s history in the early 19th century. Admire these buildings through the works of the era’s great artists.

View of Holy Trinity Cathedral, Place d’Armes and homes on Sainte-Anne Street, Québec City

Unknown This 1806 scene highlights the importance of Holy Trinity Cathedral, a powerful Anglican symbol in the heart of Québec City. Built between 1800 and 1804, this religious building affirmed Britain’s rule of the former French colony. In building it, the aim was to rival the height of the statuesque Notre-Dame-de-Québec Basilica, an imposing Catholic monument.
Chronoscope What else do you notice in this image? (unilingual French for a limited time) Source: Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec Document in the public domain (free of copyright) - Date: 1806