Martissant

Martissant is the westernmost of the three communal sections of Port-au-Prince. The section shares a land border with the suburb of Carrefour to its west; to its northeast lies Downtown Port-au-Prince, and to its east is the section of Morne l'hopital. Martissant, the only section of Port-au-Prince that directly connects the capital to the southern region of the country, has a land area of 8.85 km² (3.42 sq mi) and had a population of 295,204 at the 2015 census, concentrating at least a quarter of the city's population. It has the second-largest area, second-highest population, and second-highest population density among the city’s municipal sections.

Neighboring sections

West 9e Bizoton, CRF	3e Martissant _{Port-au-Prince}	East 1re Turgeau, 2e Morne l'Hôpital
	~~North~~ Baie de Port-au-Prince	Northeast Downtown Port-au-Prince
	South 2e Platon Dufréné, CRF	Southeast 2e Aux Cadets, PEV

Locations[]

MTS	Bizoton, Bolosse, Fort Mercredi, Martissant.

About[]

Martissant is known for its dense population, being a district of the capital region, and also for the prolific violence that plagues the city and its residents. The surfeit of bad press, armed with truths, half-truths and suppositions about Martissant have painted the area as a 'no-go' zone for those who can avoid it.

Listed among the bad are those points in history that stick in the brain to this day; its part in the slaying of over 500 people due to gang related violence in 2006, the murder of freelance journalist Jean-Rémy Badio at his home in 2007, as well as the mass murder of no fewer than one dozen patrons at a soccer match in 2005.

History[]

The area between Martissant and Carrefour was formerly called Trou-Bordet. In 1840, this rural section of Port-au Prince had 90 plantations, 5 sugar factories, and a cotton plant.

Martissant was originally is the 8th rural section of the city of Port-au-Prince, under the parish of Sainte Anne. It was officially divided in 1875, leading to the creation of the rural section known as Bizoton.

Notable localities in this area include Baillergeau, Peu-de-Chose, Rasteau, and Philippeaux. Additionally, the Jean-Ciseau post, Source Leclerc, and Fort Samedi are located within this rural section.

• In November 1791, Rigaud took residence in Martissant, causing significant concern among the white settlers of Port-Républicain (Port-au-Prince). A. F. Battier wrote a poem in Martissant in May 1879 titled, "Where do we find happiness?" Paul Lochard sang, "Martissant!"

• In 1791, the freedmen of the West plundered the workshops of Trou-Bordet against the whites. The slaves were ruthlessly hanged. According to the Haitian Constitutions of Dr Janvier, page 598: "For more than thirty years, Trou Bordet had been, at least, as flourishing as this other rural section located across the harbor from it in the town of Arcahaie, so well known in this latter locality, the system of small personal property was honored there, if it was the sea which served as the main trade route for the inhabitants of Carrefour and Rivière-Froide; if not, the theory of the outlets, but at least, of clarity of everything, had for a long time embraced at a glance the economic situation of the region had discovered the causes of its agricultural slump ".

• In 1802, the band leader Thoby took control of Morne Piedmont, situated along the route from Port-au-Prince to Léogane, in opposition to the French forces.

• In 1803, during the siege of Port-au-Prince led by Dessalines, General Pétion established a battery consisting of two artillery pieces, one of 4 pieces and another of 8 pieces, on a hill of the Philippeaux estate, located to the southeast of the city, approximately 200 toises (a quarter mile) from the powder magazine. Additionally, he deployed a 6-inch howitzer that had been transported from Petit-Goâve. This artillery bombardment targeted the powder magazine, compelling the French forces to abandon their position.

• Located in the heights of Martissant, near Port-au-Prince was Source Leclerc, also called Bain Leclerc. The source fed the town; this work carried out in 1884 is due to the Haitian engineer Leon Laforestrie. It seems that Mme Pauline Leclerc, Bonaparte's sister, was going to take her bath here; that's how it got that name. This spring belongs to the city of Port-au-Prince. A limit to the south of the city of Port-au-Prince passed through Source Leclerc to Fort Mercredi and the Diquini source. The Martelly plantation was located in this area.

Geography[]

Neighborhoods

Bicentennaire
Martissant 1, 2, 3, 4 – the main subsectors (Martissant 1er, 2e, 3e, 4e) recognized in local usage and by DINEPA and IHSI.
Ravine Pintade – densely populated ravine community.
Ti Bois – hillside residential zone east of RN-2.
Savane Pistache – mixed residential area near Grande Ravine.
Ruelle Alerte / Ruelle Philippeaux – old plantation-derived clusters now turned residential corridors.
Ruelle Jeremie / Carrefour Ti Bois – transition area between Martissant and Bizoton.

Quartier Martissant[]

Religion[]

Martissant maintains an active religious culture expressed through open-air worship, gospel choirs, and neighborhood processions. Church groups frequently organize musical marches promoting peace and unity, often blending sacred songs with civic messages. These gatherings serve both devotional and community functions, providing a shared emotional outlet amid the district’s chronic insecurity.

New Park[]

With the legacy of Martissant as such, in 2007, the government provided one bit of good press for the troubled community. The announcement was that the estates of Pauline, Mangonès, Leclerc and Dunham would be freed, by decree of the president, for public use as a park. Stemming from a proposal made by the Foundation for Knowledge and Liberty (FOKAL), a buffer zone would also be created that would include the surrounding urban areas, as part of a joint development area.

The aim of the park was stated as being for the enhancement and preservation of local flora as well as the historical heritage and natural environment. There were also plans to use the venue as a space for training, research and culture. Today, the park is open and offers an oasis within the cloistered den of violence that is still Martissant. It is hoped that the beauty within the park can translate to beauty without.

References[]

Revitilisation du Martissant - Resolis.org [1]

Petite histoire de Martissant - Haiti Inter [2]

Martissant, le rêve d'habiter - Fondation Connaissance et Liberté - FOKAL [3]

"Je ne passerai plus jamais à Martissant" - Haiti Inter [4]

Gade SA Bandi Fè Yon Jèn Demwazèl Ki Tap vivo Matisan - Planet News Ayiti [5]

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