The Halifax Citadel, also known as Fort George, is a historic fortification situated in the heart of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Perched atop Citadel Hill, this star-shaped bastion has stood as a sentinel over the city since its construction began in 1749. The current iteration of the fort, completed in 1856, is the fourth in a series of forts built on the site, each designed to protect the strategically important Halifax Harbour.
Throughout its long history, the Citadel has served as a military installation, a prison, and a symbol of British colonial power in North America. It played a crucial role in conflicts such as the Seven Years’ War, the American Revolutionary War, and the War of 1812. Today, the Halifax Citadel is a National Historic Site, preserved by Parks Canada, and is open to the public as a museum and tourist attraction.
Over the years, there have been numerous reports of unexplained phenomena and ghostly encounters at the Halifax Citadel. Perhaps the most well-known is the “Grey Lady”. This ghostly figure, clad in a long, flowing grey cloak or dress, has been spotted wandering the fort’s ramparts and corridors, particularly on the second floor balcony of the Cavalier building. Some believe she may be the spirit of a woman who lost her life during the Halifax Explosion of 1917, while others speculate that she could be connected to the fort’s early history.
Numerous staff and visitors, including security personnel, have reported identical encounters with the Grey Lady over the decades, with sightings dating back to the 1960s according to old log books. Witnesses describe seeing her standing at the railing, gazing out over the parade square. When approached or called out to, she remains unresponsive and then vanishes without a trace.
Another frequently reported apparition is that of a soldier in full uniform, often seen standing guard, patrolling the grounds, or even marching through walls. Visitors have described hearing the sound of footsteps echoing through empty halls and the clatter of spectral rifles being drilled in the parade square.
Other ghostly figures witnessed at the Citadel include an old man, a man in a red cloak (possibly a British soldier from the fort’s early days), and an older lady who has been known to appear in mirrors. Many of these apparitions are seen for a brief moment before disappearing into thin air, leaving witnesses questioning their own eyes.
The Citadel’s tunnels and underground chambers are also said to be hotspots for paranormal activity. Disembodied voices, cold spots, and the sensation of being watched or followed have been reported by those brave enough to explore these dark, confined spaces. Ghostly apparitions have also been reported in the subterranean tunnels including a visitor who witnessed a uniformed soldier walk into a room in the old prison area and simply vanish.
The spirit of a young girl is also believed to haunt the Citadel’s prison cells. According to legend, she was the daughter of a soldier stationed at the fort and died under mysterious circumstances. This ghostly child is said to follow tour groups, with participants often feeling her small hand grasping their own as they navigate the fort’s shadowy interior. Visitors have claimed to hear her mournful cries echoing through the stone corridors. Some visitors have even reported being pushed or touched by unseen hands.
