Cathedrale Notre Dame de Cap Haitien
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Cathedrale Notre Dame de Cap Haitien
Cathedrale Notre Dame de Cap Haitien
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.0
76 reviews
Excellent
32
Very good
24
Average
18
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Andrew M
7,589 contributions
Dec 2019
The Notre Dame Cathedral is the main attraction in Cap Hatien. The architecture is colonial from the times of French occupation. The building is painted white with peach columns and yellow border highlights. The portico over the main double door entrance has a coat of arms on it. On either side of the main entrance are side doors, above which are sculptures. There are bell towers on either end of the building which have brown roofs. Below the bell tower area on the left is a clock, and on the right, a cross. At the rear of the church, in a central position, is a large dome which has a cross atop.
On entering the church, you will first notice the stained glass designs over the doors. At either end of the church, near to the entrance are beautiful murals with a yellow border. The white colour with yellow borders is constant throughout the interior of the church. There is a cross below the dome, which is also where the altar is located. The many wooden pews were also impressive, and matched the wooden ceiling. There were quite a few stained glass windows on either side of the church. The church is approximately 2,000 m2, and can hold an estimated 2,500 persons when full.
The church opens at 5:30 am, and has weekday services at 6:00 am. On Saturday, there is a 5:00 pm service. On Sunday, service times are 6:00 am, 8:00 am, 9:30 am and 5:00 pm. Confessions are held daily at 6:45 am, except for Thursday and Sunday. The first wooden church was built in about 1680, but was burnt down in 1691. A second wooden church was quickly rebuilt, but also burnt down a few years later in 1695. The following year, another wooden church was built. This church underwent extensive improvements in 1710.
The stone construction began in 1715, and was completed three (3) years later. In 1748, the stone structure was extended, but this was not completed until 1774. This building was severely damaged during the battle for independence in 1803, when most of the buildings in the town were totally destroyed. In 1842, a major earthquake destroyed the remnants of the structure. The current structure is as a result of rebuilding efforts in 1861. It was extensively restored in 1942, to recognise the 100th anniversary of the earthquake.
This attraction is a must see in town, and the cathedral square opposite has an interesting history, and hosts monuments to Dessalines and Boukman. The Nord administration building and nearby Henri Christophe University, have busts of King Henri Christophe.
On entering the church, you will first notice the stained glass designs over the doors. At either end of the church, near to the entrance are beautiful murals with a yellow border. The white colour with yellow borders is constant throughout the interior of the church. There is a cross below the dome, which is also where the altar is located. The many wooden pews were also impressive, and matched the wooden ceiling. There were quite a few stained glass windows on either side of the church. The church is approximately 2,000 m2, and can hold an estimated 2,500 persons when full.
The church opens at 5:30 am, and has weekday services at 6:00 am. On Saturday, there is a 5:00 pm service. On Sunday, service times are 6:00 am, 8:00 am, 9:30 am and 5:00 pm. Confessions are held daily at 6:45 am, except for Thursday and Sunday. The first wooden church was built in about 1680, but was burnt down in 1691. A second wooden church was quickly rebuilt, but also burnt down a few years later in 1695. The following year, another wooden church was built. This church underwent extensive improvements in 1710.
The stone construction began in 1715, and was completed three (3) years later. In 1748, the stone structure was extended, but this was not completed until 1774. This building was severely damaged during the battle for independence in 1803, when most of the buildings in the town were totally destroyed. In 1842, a major earthquake destroyed the remnants of the structure. The current structure is as a result of rebuilding efforts in 1861. It was extensively restored in 1942, to recognise the 100th anniversary of the earthquake.
This attraction is a must see in town, and the cathedral square opposite has an interesting history, and hosts monuments to Dessalines and Boukman. The Nord administration building and nearby Henri Christophe University, have busts of King Henri Christophe.
Written January 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Running Rick
Destin, FL203 contributions
Sept 2022 • Business
I had the opportunity to stop, enter and view the inside and out. Very beautiful and serene place, well kept and with lovely stained glass windows. Wonderful experience and lovely to have such a nice cathedral in the middle of a busy part of Cap Haitian.
Written September 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Blockster
Westfield, NJ266 contributions
Nov 2012 • Business
I had the opportunity recently to visit the Cathedral Notre Dame de Cap Haitien on a Sunday during mass. It is a pretty place, simple and serene. The reason I gave it an excellent rating...the choral singing was so beautiful, so moving. In all my almost 59 years on this earth, I do not think I have heard more exquisite music. I wish I could have taped it or purchased a CD. I know, be real!
Written November 25, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alex in Ecuador
Léogâne, Ouest, Haiti80 contributions
Jul 2012 • Friends
The city of Cap-Haitien, like the rest of Haiti, is rough and not for the lighthearted. That said, the old colonial center is a huge break from the hustle-and-bustle of the rest of the city.
Every single street in the central city is lined with brilliantly preserved French Caribbean architecture,all culminating in the central square where you find the Cathedral Notre Dame de Cap Haitien.
While in the heart of the city, the area is absent of loud motorcycles and trucks, and the nosiest things around are the countless school children playing in the square in the shadows of one of the largest cathedrals on the island. And unlike many areas of Haiti, visitors are left alone in Cap Haitien, and the area is heavily patrolled by the tourist police, even though foreign tourists are rare. What's not rare is the old world charm mixed with a vibrant and fantastic creole spirit.
Every single street in the central city is lined with brilliantly preserved French Caribbean architecture,all culminating in the central square where you find the Cathedral Notre Dame de Cap Haitien.
While in the heart of the city, the area is absent of loud motorcycles and trucks, and the nosiest things around are the countless school children playing in the square in the shadows of one of the largest cathedrals on the island. And unlike many areas of Haiti, visitors are left alone in Cap Haitien, and the area is heavily patrolled by the tourist police, even though foreign tourists are rare. What's not rare is the old world charm mixed with a vibrant and fantastic creole spirit.
Written August 14, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tomek K
New York City, NY204 contributions
Oct 2016 • Friends
The best part of the cathedral is the dome, seen from the outside. Its facade is rather stark and so is the interior. However, the plaza in front of the cathedral seems to be the center of the city with some governmental buildings around. Definitely pay a visit, but don't despair if it's closed (it opens at 5pm on days other than holidays) - you're not missing that much.
Written October 29, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Babisbiz
Athens, Greece324 contributions
Oct 2013 • Friends
The enormous Cathedral is an impressive sight indeed although the interior is rather simple .
Nevertheless is a good point to start exploring the city as it is visible from many streets . All around are old colonial mansions and interesting people. Recomended area.
Nevertheless is a good point to start exploring the city as it is visible from many streets . All around are old colonial mansions and interesting people. Recomended area.
Written October 22, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jbsCormier
Cap-Haitien, Haiti4 contributions
Oct 2012
I went resently and found the all town of cap-haitien much cleaner and very secure with a lot of improvement in the traffic.
there is an effort here need to follow.
there is an effort here need to follow.
Written November 1, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anthony L
Tarpon Springs, FL328 contributions
Dec 2017 • Family
Sadly we were unable to see the interior as the entire building is closed off to the public as the reconstruction is taking place. However the children in the adjoining square were all anxious to practice their English and have pictures taken with them.
Written December 13, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adrian K
Warsaw, Poland242 contributions
Jul 2017 • Friends
Catherdrale Notre Dame is a charming historic building, at the moment is being renovated so it's impossible to visit. It stands in a historic green square (there are only few in town) in the very center. It's nice to look at the church from the benches surrounded by palm trees.
Written July 30, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sabine J
Lakeland, FL33 contributions
May 2017
Beautiful landmark they have a park right on the same property lots of trees and sitting area go Sunday morning so you can go inside the church it's beautiful.
Written May 20, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Does anyone know when the construction is going to be over? I am planning to be there late December 2018. Thanks
Written July 29, 2018
Hello, I am French living in Saint-Martin and I would like to come to visit Cap Haitien next March. Do you know any travel agency with wich I could make this kind of tour you are talking about. I am teacher in History and the places you visited are really interesting me.
Thank you for your help
Regards
Frederic
Written January 26, 2016
A Tripadvisor member
Kellogg, Idaho
My visits have always been guided by family who live in the area or friends of theirs. I have reached out to them asking make some inquiries and send me names, contact info. Will pass it along as it comes in.
Also, I did Google tour companies in Cap Haitien and got quite a few pages. Might be a good place to start. Sometimes a rental agency can help you find a driver who is well versed on where you want to go. I am a very experienced driver but would never attempt to drive in Haiti--especially in the cities. There seems to be an unwritten code book I am still trying to decipher.
Best wishes for a great visit. I find Haiti a fascinating place and it's history is absorbing. We in the U.S. owe this little country so much and we have no idea of our debt and how they influenced the makeup of the US.
Have a great time..will be in touch if i receive some recommendations.
Written January 28, 2016
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