Sans Souci Palace In Haiti
Wikimedia CommonsPalais Du Sans Souci or Sans Souci Palace was built in 1810 after the revolution in Haiti.
The Sans Souci Palace on the island nation of Haiti fell into ruin soon after it was first built in 1810. Yet, its stone remains have become a historical symbol of the country’s long political struggle.
Like many of the world’s abandoned castles and palaces, the Sans Souci Palace — known as Palais du Sans Souci to locals — was constructed in the midst of a conflict between warring factions.
It was built as the royal residence of King Henri Christophe I of Haiti, a former slave who rose through the ranks during the Haitian Revolution against French colonists to become the new nation’s monarch.
After the nation won its independence from France, revolutionaries including Christophe began to clamor for power over it. The leader of the revolution, Jean-Jacques Dessalines, awarded himself the title of Governor-General-for-life but was later killed in a coup d’état led by Christophe, who crowned himself as the new monarch.
The Sans Souci Palace was built in the small town of Milot and was once a mecca of beauty and luxury, with lavish gardens and artificial springs. Its remarkable architectural design was hailed as “the Versailles of the Caribbean” and it was among the first monuments erected by the newly-freed slaves.
The magnificent Sans Souci Palace was built in the 19th century after the Haitian Revolution. Diego Tirira/Flickr The grounds of the Sans Souci Palace were once decorated with beautiful gardens and artificial springs.Diego Tirira/Flickr During the height of its fame, the beauty of Sans Souci Palace was so well known that it was dubbed the "Versailles of the Caribbean."Diego Tirira/Flickr A bust of Marie-Louise Coidavid, King Henri I's wife, that was built in the center of the palace and survives on the grounds to this day. Alex Proimos/Flickr The ruins of the palace are now part of Haiti's National History Park.Diego Tirira/Flickr The walls of the royal palace were among the first monuments to be built by Haiti's formerly enslaved population after the nation's independence from France. Andrew Wiseman/Flickr A close-up of the bust of Queen Marie-Louise Coidavid.Stefan Krasowski/Flickr The 200-year-old palace is an important symbol of Haiti's tumultuous history. Flickr In 1842, the palace was damaged after an earthquake in the nearby city of Cap-Haïtien but it was never rebuilt or restored.Wikimedia Commons
Explore the abandoned castle of Palais du Sans Souci View GallerySadly, King Christophe committed suicide following a stroke and his son, the only heir to the Haitian throne, was bayoneted to death by revolutionists. With no owner to lay claim to it, the Sans Souci Palace was abandoned. In 1842, it suffered considerable damage following an earthquake that struck the nearby city of Cap-Haïtien.
Today, the historic ruins of the Sans Souci Palace can still be found in Milot as part of the country's National History Park complex. It encompasses the palace, a citadel, and other once-lavish structures.
The main draw of the complex, however, is no doubt its classical-style façade with its baroque double stairway. Dilapidated gardens and pools also remain on the site.
The Sans Souci Palace was finally declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1982. Now, this abandoned castle like so many others before it can be preserved for centuries to come.
After this look at some of the most fascinating abandoned castles and fortresses across the world, check out these beautiful castles that look like they're right out of a fairy tale. Then, take a look at these eerily abandoned Bulgarian towns after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
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