Fort Anne, nestled in the heart of Annapolis Royal, is Canada’s oldest national historic site and a cornerstone of the town’s rich history. Today, it’s a popular tourist attraction with a museum and well-preserved earthworks.
I made a quick visit of the site while visiting an old friend in a nearby town. Before exploring the historic site, we walked along the town and watched as a few craftsmen reconstructed a wooden ship. Annapolis Royal has a population of about 500 residents, and two main streets so the walk was short.
There is no shortage of cool places to check out along the coast of Nova Scotia. That’s one of the great things about Nova Scotia – everything is within so close. No doubt the biggest draw to Annapolis Royal is the historically significant Fort Anne.
Originally built by the Scots in 1629, it was later fortified by the French and subsequently taken over by the British. The fort features well-preserved star-shaped earthworks, including ramparts, bastions, and ditches, designed for defense.
Later I learned here’s a candlelight graveyard tour, which takes visitors through the old Garrison Cemetery, sharing stories of the people who lived and died at the fort.
I admit I took a power tour through the grounds because my friend had to keep an eye on his unleashed dog. Although I didn’t get a chance to visit the museum, I’d love to return and spend more time exploring the site.
Interested in Fort Anne or visiting Annapolis Royal? Learn more here and here.