The Empress — Haunted Hotel Mystery

Your starting point, the British Columbia Parliament Buildings, are a National Historic Site Canada. Built between 1893 and 1897 under the direction of architect Francis Rattenbury, these buildings, illuminated nightly by 3,264 bulbs since 1897, have housed the government of British Columbia since their official opening on February 15, 1898. One of its ten granite domes, the central dome, rises 63 meters high, a visible landmark from the Inner Harbour Victoria. It is here that the first mysteries begin, with clues hidden within the neo-baroque architecture of this uniquely rich architectural heritage.

A short walk from the Parliament Buildings, the Fairmont Empress stands, a Château-style architectural heritage opened on June 20, 1908. This hotel, one of the jewels of the Canadian Pacific Railway, spans 104,000 m² with 464 rooms spread over 6 floors. It had the honor of hosting Queen Elizabeth II during her visits in 1939, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1997, and 2002. Renovated in 2017 for CAD 145 million after an 18-month closure, the Empress is at the heart of the enigma. Your mission is to uncover the secrets that have passed through its walls and understand why its presence is so strong in Victoria's history.

Your journey then takes you to Bastion Square, developed from 1843 as the site of the first Hudson's Bay Company fort. This former area of Fort Victoria, demolished in 1861, is now paved with historic bricks and forms a vibrant tourist center with buildings dating from 1858-1860. Close to the starting point, accessible within 500 m on foot from the Parliament Buildings, this square is a key location in Victoria's history. Clues left in its ancient streets will lead you to the next stage of your investigation, revealing fragments of British Columbia's commercial and colonial past.

Continuing your Victoria visit, you will reach Christ Church Cathedral, consecrated in 1872. Its Gothic tower, completed in 1912, rises 58 meters. It is the oldest continuously used Anglican church in Western Canada. Its stained-glass windows, installed between 1880 and 1890, including one commemorating Queen Victoria, tell stories etched in light. Located 800 m from the Parliament Buildings, in the historic Inner Harbour district, this cathedral adds a spiritual dimension to your Victoria scavenger hunt. Every architectural detail is a gateway to a clue, a fragment of Victoria's history for families.

Finally, your British Columbia thematic circuit leads you to Helmsley Heritage Park, a 0.8-hectare green space adjacent to the Parliament Buildings, created in 1989. This park features a commemorative fountain dedicated to Francis Rattenbury, the architect of the Parliament Buildings, who was murdered in 1914. Used for public events since 1897, with its 4,000 m² lawn area, the park is less than 200 m from the starting point. Your exploration of this British Columbia heritage will have allowed you to retrace the footsteps of historical figures and perceive Victoria's motto, “She Shall Endure,” through its monuments and the history of Victoria. You will have uncovered the Empress's secrets and the rich heritage of the city, transforming this walk into a truly interactive Victoria discovery.