Hispaniola is the Caribbean island where the Citadelle Laferrière stands.
The massive mountaintop fortress is in northern Haiti, near the town of Milot. It was built after the Haitian Revolution under the direction of Henri Christophe, who became king of northern Haiti. Construction began in 1805 and continued for years, creating one of the most remarkable military monuments in the Americas.
The Citadelle was designed to defend the newly independent nation against a possible return by French forces. Its walls, ramps and artillery positions occupy a steep location about 900 metres above sea level. The fortress forms part of the National History Park of Haiti, together with Sans-Souci Palace and other historic sites.
Hispaniola is shared today by Haiti in the west and the Dominican Republic in the east. A common mistake is calling the island Haiti; Haiti is the country occupying its western portion, while Hispaniola is the island’s geographic name. UNESCO listed the Citadelle and related monuments as a World Heritage Site in 1982.