Haiti has one of the Caribbean’s most interesting cultures and centuries of fascinating history. While its leisure tourism industry is very much in the early stages, there are a great deal of cultural and historic sites ready to receive intrepid travelers. Here’s a list of five such must-see destinations on any visit to Haiti.

The Sans Souci Palace

The towering Sans Souci Palace was home to Haiti’s King Henri Christophe after it opened in 1813. Today, it’s the pride of the small town of Milot.

MUPANAH

Simply put, Haiti’s Musee du Pantheon National Haitien, MUPANAH for short, is one of the Caribbean’s best museums. Where else will you find artifacts like the anchor from Columbus’ Santa Maria?

Jacmel

You can visit it during its annual carnival, but Jacmel in southern Haiti is a year-round cultural destination. The centuries-old city on the country’s southern coast is Haiti’s artistic capital.

Citadelle Laferriere

The imposing Citadelle Laferriere is northern Haiti, also built by King Christophe, was declared a UNESCO World Hertiage site in 1982. Together with the Sans Souci palace and the buildins at Ramiers, it forms Haiti’s National History Park. You won’t find a bigger fortress anywhere in the Western Hemisphere.

The Neg Mawon Statue

This sculpture in downtown Port-au-Prince, located across the way from the site of the former National Palace in Haiti, was made by sculptor Albert Mangones at the end of the 1960s. It is one of the lasting symbols of Haitians’ struggle, first for freedom and independence.