Restoration of Palace of 365 Doors in Petite-Riviere, Artibonite

Aid-donor agency Petrocaribe has dispensed funding dollars to begin restoration work on Palace of 365 Doors in Petite-Riviere, Artibonite, part of Artibonite North Department. The Palace was designed by architect Louis Dupeyrac as a presidential home for King Henri Christophe in 1820. Christophe commissioned the project because he wanted a potent symbol of his dominance over the abundant and verdant agricultural lands of the Artibonite plains. For unknown reasons the palace was never completed.

ADVERTISEMENT


Over a century later, the abandoned building had deteriorated significantly. Under President Stenio Vincent, funds were allocated to restore Palace of 365 Doors in Petite-Riviere, Artibonite. Restoration work included laying corrugated steel floors, spreading a layer of cement over its exterior surface, and covering windows with wood shutters. Not a true restoration, it was done to stop any further deterioration and shield it from the elements.

Since then the building has been used as lodgings for Haiti's National Security Volunteers under Jean-Claude Duvalier. Most recently it was home to an elementary school and some national and local government offices. In 1995, the government of Haiti (GOH) publicly announced they were registering Belle Rivière as a National Heritage site.

In 2007, an alliance of artists representing SOS Heritage began a fund-raising campaign for the full restoration and preservation of Palace of 365 Doors in Petite-Riviere, Artibonite. The preservationists annually hold an arts festival featuring performing arts as well as literary events.

The GOH has finally begun restoration work on Palace of 365 Doors in Petite-Riviere, Artibonite because they realize its potential to draw increased tourist dollars the country urgently needs. Restoration work began on May 7th.

Reply to this article

Read more: Historic Monument, Historic Site, History, Palais 365 portes, Petite-Riviere Artibonite, History

« Emmanuel "Manno" Sanon, 1974 soccer player, FIFA World Cup in Germany | Main | JetBlue Airways Offering Affordable Fares and Non-stop Service to Haiti »

Return to Articles List

Leave a Reply

Name (required)

E-mail (required, will not be published)

Subject: Restoration of Palace of 365 Doors in Petite-Riviere, Artibonite edit

» »

Our objective is to share with you news and information about Haiti and the people of Haiti. Traditions, habits and the way we were  or  grew are alive in this site. We highly recommend that you Subscribe to our Newsletter and also share with us some of the things that are memorable and made us unique people.