The first fortification on the Hill began in 1761 by Bastie, and has been rebuilt several times. The last was finished in 1856, and is a Bauban trace system design, a star-shaped hillock fortress with internal courtyard and clear harbour view from armoured ramparts.
The Citadel's French New World counterpart was known as "Fortress Louisbourg" on Cape Breton Island Nova Scotia.
According to Thomas Head Raddall, Citadel Hill was "like Vesuvius over Pompeii, a smiling monster with havoc in its belly". The noon gun is still sounded daily over the city by animators -- costumed, historically knowledgeable actors who are interpreters for what is now a national park, and are also used for 21-gun salutes. The cannons have never been fired in anger.