After successful revolt against France, the colony of Saint-Domingue was divided in two parts. The republic in the south, and self-proclaimed Haiti monarchy formed in the north, with former slave Henri Christophe, as the king Henri I.
Completed in 1813, the Sans-Souci Palace was built and furnished in European style. Paintings and mirrors hang in the decorated rooms with mahogany furniture. The system of aqueducts supplied compound with water from the mountains. The palace surrounded by parks and water fountains was a site of opulent banquets and dances often visited by foreign guests. The palace served as a royal residence until 1820, when the self-proclaimed king took his own life. His son and heir was killed by the revolutionaries 10 days later. Abandoned building, plundered by residents of neighboring villages and destroyed by the earthquake of 1842, turned into a ruins we can see today.
The Sans-Souci Palace and the neighboring Citadelle Laferrière are unique and remarkable, but little-known places. In the Caribbean, nothing can match those two architectural achievements, but Haiti is a very poor country where tourists do not show up. When you arrive here as a rare visitor, you will realize that it is impossible to see these places alone and at your own peace. Surrounded by many people trying to sell souvenirs or provide you a service, you may feel obliged to help them all by hiring them as guides. However, in a short time, it is easy to understand that there are too many people in need of money and you are simply not able to support them all.
