Halifax Explosion Memorial Bell Tower

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A poignant landmark in Halifax, commemorating the 1917 explosion with panoramic views and a carillon of remembrance.

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Halifax Explosion Memorial Bell Tower

The Halifax Explosion Memorial Bell Tower stands as a solemn tribute to the victims and survivors of the devastating Halifax Explosion of 1917. Located in Fort Needham Memorial Park, the tower offers panoramic views of the city and harbor, serving as a poignant reminder of the resilience of the Halifax community.

A brief summary to Halifax Explosion Memorial Bell Tower

3340 Union St, Halifax, North End, Nova Scotia, B3K 5H1, CA
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Monday 12 am-12 am
Tuesday 12 am-12 am
Wednesday 12 am-12 am
Thursday 12 am-12 am
Friday 12 am-12 am
Saturday 12 am-12 am
Sunday 12 am-12 am

Local tips

Visit the memorial early in the morning or late afternoon for a quieter experience and better lighting for photographs.
Take time to read the informative plaques around the site to fully appreciate the history and impact of the Halifax Explosion.
Combine your visit with a walk around the Hydrostone District, a neighborhood built after the explosion to house those who were displaced.

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Getting There

Walking

From downtown Halifax, head north on Barrington Street until you reach North Park Street. Turn right onto North Park, and then left onto Union Street. The tower is at 3340 Union St. This walk offers a chance to see the local architecture and atmosphere.
Public Transport

From downtown Halifax, take Halifax Transit Bus Route 1 (Spring Garden) or Route 9 (Gottingen) towards the North End. Get off at the stop closest to Union Street and walk a few minutes to 3340 Union St. As of September 2024, a single adult ticket costs $3. Tickets can be purchased using the HFXGO app, at retail locations, or with exact change on the bus.
Car

From the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 104), take Exit 3 onto Highway 102 towards Halifax. Continue on Highway 102 until it merges into Highway 111. Follow signs for Halifax and take Exit 2 for Bayers Road. Merge onto Bayers Road and continue to Quinpool Road. Turn right onto Quinpool Road, then left onto Robie Street, and finally right onto Union Street. The Halifax Explosion Memorial Bell Tower is at 3340 Union St. Parking is available on Novalea Drive and Union Street. Be mindful of local parking regulations.

Discover more about Halifax Explosion Memorial Bell Tower

The Halifax Explosion Memorial Bell Tower is a landmark dedicated to the nearly 2,000 people who perished and the thousands more who were injured or displaced in the Halifax Explosion on December 6, 1917. This tragedy occurred when the SS Mont-Blanc, a French cargo ship carrying wartime explosives, collided with the Norwegian vessel SS Imo in the Halifax Harbour. The resulting explosion was one of the largest human-made explosions prior to the atomic era, devastating the city's north end.The bell tower, completed in 1985, houses a carillon of bells that were initially donated to the Kaye Street United Memorial Church by Barbara Orr, a survivor who lost her family in the explosion. The church, built to replace two others destroyed in the blast, could not support the bells, leading to the construction of the memorial tower. The tower's design directs viewers' attention toward the site of the explosion in the harbor.Today, the Halifax Explosion Memorial Bell Tower serves as a place of reflection and remembrance. Visitors can explore the surrounding Fort Needham Memorial Park, which offers landscaped gardens, walking trails, and commemorative elements detailing the history of the explosion and its impact on the city. The bells are rung hourly between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., and a light show illuminates the tower at dusk. The annual memorial service is held at the park on December 6th.