Description of Historic Place

The Former Caponiere, also known as Building 45, is located at the south end of the ditch separating the Quebec Citadel’s Prince of Wales Bastion from the men’s quarters. The two walls and small turret on the middle of its gable-roof as the only visible elements of this small stone building. It is integrated with the ramparts and pierced with loopholes. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

Building 45, is a Classified Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental value.

Historical Value
Building 45, is one of the best examples illustrating the defence of British North America against the constant threat of invasion by the United States. The Former Caponiere is also strongly associated with the development of Québec City as the Citadel had a major impact on the civilian administration during the last century.

Architectural Value
Building No. 45, is a very good example of a British military defence building with excellent functional design and high quality craftsmanship. It is distinguished by its functional, solid masonry construction.

The Environmental Value
Designed mostly underground to blend in visually with the fortifications, the Caponiere is strategically situated at the south end of the ditch separating the Prince of Wales Bastion from the men’s quarters. Its materials and design harmonize well with and reinforces the historical military character of its fortress setting.

Sources:
Rhona Godspeed, The Citadel, Québec, Québec, Federal Heritage Building Report 89-163; Former Caponiere, Building No.45, The Citadel, Québec, Québec, Heritage Character Statement, 89-163.

Character-Defining Elements

The character defining elements of Building 45 should be respected.

Its functional, defensive military design and high quality craftsmanship and materials such as:
-its two visible stone walls laid in regular courses with pierced loopholes and integrated with the ramparts and its sheet metal clad gable roof with a small turret in the middle designed to prevent people from moving around;
-the bomb-proof vaulted interior shooting range with walls of evenly-coursed limestone which is accessed through a long tunnel;
-its doors and iron elements.

The manner in which Building 45 reinforces the historical defensive military character of its fort setting located in the Québec Citadel.