Capoix - 02 August 2008 11:49 AM

I still say its a mishmash of several european influences not just one


Where's Jesus? Isn't he knowledgable in Architecture? Elaborate for us, Jesus.

You may be right Capoix.

Looking at the drawing we see Greco-Roman columns......and the Milot church shows an eastern European influence.

Prussian King Frederick II's sans souci park had several structures. His sans Souci summer retreat was done in a German Rococo style while the larger "New palace" shows more of the Baroque style popular at the time......but he was so involved in the design of the samller Sans Souci palace, that they often refers to that style as Frederican Rococo.

Kristoff palace definitely shows no rococo influence. It does appear to have incorporated several styles.

Kristoff simply choose to name his palace after the one in Potsdam.

As for the Citadelle, it is a departure from European forts at the time which were mostly designed for the coast. We would have to go back to medieval Europe to find inland mountainous fortifications.....they are however not similar to our Citadelle.

I think both the Citadelle and Sans Souci are local adaptations. The sub-floor cooling of the palace and the collection of water for the citadelle are examples of local engineering adaptations.

Finally; the fact that "the man" has not claimed these to be imitations and "the man" is still marveling at the construction of the Citadelle may be proof that these monuments are ours...yes with European help and inspiration...but Haitian after all.

Thanks, Jesus

The only image of a complete Sans Souci drawn by a Haitian artist prior to the earthquake

It's not just Sans Souci that's apparently indigenous architecturally (obviously with heavy classical/Euro influence) - but the so-called gingerbread houses of Port au Prince seem to me uniquely Haitian. I heard years ago that Haitian architects attended a late 19thcentury Paris exposition, and came away with their own blends/interpretations of Victorian and other styles they saw there. What they created at the turn of the century in PaP is unlike anything I've ever seen in architecture books of that period or in any touring I've done. I copied this look for a house I built in Key West in the mid 90's. It's known island-wide as "the Haitian House".

Thanks, Gunner. I just set that as my desktop display.

San Domang - 02 August 2008 07:11 PM

It's not just Sans Souci that's apparently indigenous architecturally (obviously with heavy classical/Euro influence) - but the so-called gingerbread houses of Port au Prince seem to me uniquely Haitian. I heard years ago that Haitian architects attended a late 19thcentury Paris exposition, and came away with their own blends/interpretations of Victorian and other styles they saw there. What they created at the turn of the century in PaP is unlike anything I've ever seen in architecture books of that period or in any touring I've done. I copied this look for a house I built in Key West in the mid 90's. It's known island-wide as "the Haitian House".

This Haitian tropical adaptation of Victorian architecture is now known as Haitian Gingerbread......(named by American tourists and visitors)

Papaille - 16 July 2008 05:24 PM

Papaille - 16 July 2008 06:37 AM

Capoix - 15 July 2008 11:40 PM

Only Nina can do justice for me: Mont Joli (sp?) Cap HaÏŠtien Summer 2004


.

That a maiden there "lives" whom you may know
....By the name of "Eugénie";
And this maiden she "lives" with no other thought
....Than to love and be loved by me.

......-Poe, Annabel Lee

But love is blind, and lovers cannot see
The pretty follies that themselves commit.

.....-Shakespeare, Merchant of Venice, II, 6

I couldn't help myself as it is her birthday Friday reminiscing fueled inspiration, for you my muse:

Eugénie
In a harsh and unforgiving place
You remain soft and gentle as a dove
Moving through muddy dusty streets with a ballerina's grace
And it is my joy to know your love

......Papaille 7/16/2008



None of this will she read; but I will make sure the eagle soars tomorrow.

Papaille - 16 July 2008 06:10 PM

I thought the room overlooking the pool was reserved for me. I lived in that pool. We went to Milot using public transportation then rode mules, the locals called horses, to the Citadel. I have lots of film if I could only find it. I waited there with camcorder for Dany Glover, coolp and the rest of the no show Diaspora Freedom Cruise to Labadie that day. A nice young man brought all of us, including auntie and hubby, back to Mont Joli (sp?). I invited them to stay with us. The remaining hours became seconds and the days seemed only hours. The eagle crapped for them, then off Eugénie and I were on the plane returning to PaP. Soon I was on the plane back to the grind. Since then I made one trip to Santiago and two to PaP, the last one this January. I haven't been on the grind since October 2007 that now times are tough. Money's tight. I'll have to be extra ingenious to finagle a trip next year and keep the peace on the home front. Thank God for anonymity. All of you are become my confessor.

You know, it's a gray rainy day in the Northeast. Times are tough. Although the eagle does not soar, I managed to make it fly yesterday. Mwen renmen tande lè'l ri; li fè kè'm kontan. I find myself drifting to a better place and time, reminiscing of the troubadours’ serenade each night below our window. Although my forebears are from Jacmel, I fell in love with Cap Haϊtien.

Hmmm...So does the wife know of this Eugenie?

HQueen: "You be trying to get a brother killed!"

Nice pictures.... I know many people interested in visiting Haiti but the media always talk about insecurity.... that's not help at all....

Is Haiti safety for a tourist?

i have a cousin who just came back from haiti 2 weeks ago.. and she said it is very safe.. and that Haiti is much more improved then what is showed.. The best person to tell you is CoolP(administrator of the site) he is out in Haiti now as we speak.

Dj_iET - 19 November 2008 08:04 PM

i have a cousin who just came back from haiti 2 weeks ago.. and she said it is very safe.. and that Haiti is much more improved then what is showed.. The best person to tell you is CoolP(administrator of the site) he is out in Haiti now as we speak.

again coolp is in haiti! oh my gosh my jealous rating is through the roof