Present day Montreal has been built over the blocks of old Montreal Port. From the Montreal Museum of Archaeology and History, we saw a window into the past construction and had the opportunity to walk through the old sewers of the city. Thanks to modern creative lighting and restoration, it was interesting. (click on gallery pictures to viewed full size)
Play the video below to explore the sewers of Old Montreal.
This part of the world was inhabited by indigenous peoples for some 8,000 years, before Europeans made contact with them. Jacques Cartier landed on the island called Hochelaga in October 2, 1535. Seventy years later, explorer Samuel de Champlain arrived and found that the indigenous settlement was no longer there. Stories say that rival tribes drove them off to take advantage of the prime hunting, fishing and agricultural land. In the museum these plaques identify the indigenous tribes of the area.
On the surface, the city is built up with a variety of architecture from the early 1600s to modern apartment buildings.
The building below is Place Royal, where the original Ville-Marie was established in 1608 by Champlain as a fur trading post. It was, and still is a public gathering place. The plaque on the building says “DUAN” indicating it was the Old Customs House. It is connected to the underground archaeological circuit.
Nearby, is the Notre-Dame Bascillica of Montreal and the Place d’Armes, another public gathering place, the second oldest in Montreal. Built in 1693 and renamed in 1721 when it was used as a military parade grounds. This square also hosts the statue honouring Paul de Chomedey the founder of Montreal.
In 1976 Montreal hosted the Summer Olympics. The Olympic Stadium was built in 1970 and because of its doughnut shape it was called the Big “O”. Others called it the Big Owe because of the cost overruns and length of time required to pay for it.
