SIGNAL HILL NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE
Rocky hill crowned by a tower that guards the entrance to St. John's harbor.
The rocky hill, crowned by a tower, guards the entrance to St. John's harbour. Because of its strategic location, Signal Hill was first used as a signaling station, then as a communications hub. Flags were used to signal the arrival of ships in the harbor to the city's military authorities, and the arrival of their fleets to merchants. From the 18th century to the Second World War, military batteries were installed here. In 1901, Guglielmo Marconi conducted an experiment here that was to mark the beginning of the development of telecommunications: wireless telegraphy, by receiving the first transatlantic message, an "s" in Morse code, transmitted by electromagnetic waves from the other side of the Atlantic (Cornwall, England), 2,700 km away.
Cabot Tower. It was erected in 1897 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the landing in Newfoundland of the Venetian navigator in the service of England, Jean Cabot (Giovanni Caboto), and the 60th anniversary of the reign of Queen Victoria. From the top of the tower, you can enjoy an exceptional panoramic view of the city and the coast.
The Visitor Centre. The starting point for your visit, this is where you'll find new and improved interactive exhibits on the site's communications and military history. A film, "La Colline", recounts the most important historical events that took place here.
Also on site: cannon firing at noon, walking trails, guided walking tour.
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