01-14-2010, 01:56 AM
Amidst the profound human tragedy of the earthquakes in Port-au-Prince, there was one great architectural tragedy, as well.
The National or Presidential Palace, built in 1918, was, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful presidential residences in the Western Hemisphere. I first became aware of the mansion during the events leading up to the overthrow of Baby Doc Duvalier.
The palace was the scene of all the protests broadcast on the nightly news, and I was more fascinated by the fact that the President of Haiti had a grander home than the President of the United States than I was by the historic events taking place. The famous gleaming white mansion, looking somewhat like the love child of the White House and the Louvre, was completely destroyed by the earthquake. The images of its ruin sickened me.
As much as I mourn the loss of human life that has occurred in Haiti, I also sincerely lament the loss of this iconic architectural gem. I hope that it will be rebuilt but I sadly suspect that it may not be.
Here's an image of the palace in her former splendour:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1054/1106...b5.jpg?v=0
And the sad image of the devastating effects of the earthquake:
http://www.thaindian.com/images/Haiti-Pr...-quake.jpg
The National or Presidential Palace, built in 1918, was, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful presidential residences in the Western Hemisphere. I first became aware of the mansion during the events leading up to the overthrow of Baby Doc Duvalier.
The palace was the scene of all the protests broadcast on the nightly news, and I was more fascinated by the fact that the President of Haiti had a grander home than the President of the United States than I was by the historic events taking place. The famous gleaming white mansion, looking somewhat like the love child of the White House and the Louvre, was completely destroyed by the earthquake. The images of its ruin sickened me.
As much as I mourn the loss of human life that has occurred in Haiti, I also sincerely lament the loss of this iconic architectural gem. I hope that it will be rebuilt but I sadly suspect that it may not be.
Here's an image of the palace in her former splendour:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1054/1106...b5.jpg?v=0
And the sad image of the devastating effects of the earthquake:
http://www.thaindian.com/images/Haiti-Pr...-quake.jpg