Freetown Castle
Freetown Castle, sitting high above the capital of Freetown, is regarded by some as Kaitan-Leagran's finest (and last) example of 19th Century Romanticism. Built from 1894 to 1908, the Castle has served many purposes during the troubled history of the island.
Though originally envisaged as the future official residence of the proposed Duke of Kaitan-Leagran, political turmoil during the early twentieth century ensured that no such position was ever to be created during the Finaran Occupation. Instead, the Castle was to serve as the home of the Governor Generals of the Island until the dissolution of that office in 1942. After that, the Castle was to serve a primarily military function, operating as the headquarters of the Finaran military on the island during the 20 years of martial rule. The Castle was extensively modified during this period, with many areas of the building being converted to offices and barracks, and much of the once beautiful gardens were irreparably damaged. It was from this building that the last Finaran soldiers would depart in the autumn of 1963, bringing with it the end of Finaran rule and the relative stability that accompanied it.
Following the withdrawal of Finaran forces, the castle was to be occupied by several militias over the course of the next forty years. Though largely ignored by the Second Protestant Republic (1972-1988), the Castle was to serve as the Presidential Palace of the self-appointed Eoghan Walsh during the 1990s. The building was to once again serve a military purpose during the brief occupation by Otiacicoh, though many soldiers were shocked by the poor condition of this once great building.
With the end of the civil war and the establishment of the Provisional Government, work is now underway to restore Freetown Castle to its former glory. What role it will play in the future is yet to be decided, with some calling for it to be the official resident of the new Bailiff. Whatever its function, Freetown Castle will continue to be admired and cherished by Kaitan-Leagrans for generations to come, for with the renovation of the Castle comes hope for the renewal of the nation as a whole.
