 | Typical Corsican village, 5mn from the town centre. Superb panoramic view over Bastia and its surroundings. CARDO, the village in the heart of Bastia. To get to the village of CARDO from Bastia, take Saint Florent street on the right of the Law Courts above Boulevard Paoli. Follow the signs to the convent Saint Antoine; it dates back to the 16th century. |
 | In 1874, the construction of a new theatre began, to replace the theatre on the market-place which dated from the 18th century and had been destroyed by fire. The work was undertaken by the Italian architect Andrea Scala who had designed the theatre of Pisa. It was opened in 1879 and in the Belle Epoque (the Edwardian period) it was highly esteemed by the reputedly demanding audiences of Bastia. The trial of the bandit Spada took place here in 1935. Seriously damaged by bombing in 1943, the restoration was completed in 1980. |
 | For a long time, justice was done at Bastia in the old missionary convent (now the Jean Nicoli lycée, or secondary school), part of which was used by the army. When the magistrates demanded real Law Courts, the site chosen, in 1841, was the old Jesuits’ garden. The decision to build was taken in 1847, and work started in 1852 (the first stone was laid on the 25 July of that year) to the plans of the architect Cotin, and was completed in 1855. |
 | The Governors’ Palace was built onto a tower, itself built in 1380 by a Genoese noble, Leonello Lomellino. The tower - la bastia – which gave its name to the town was strategically situated on the promontory overlooking the bay of Porto Cardo (the Vieux Port of Bastia today) and was very soon transformed into a castello, a bigger defensive structure than a simple watch tower. The château became the permanent residence of the Governors of Genoa in Corsica at the end of the 15th century, although the date of 1453 is traditionally considered as the date of installation. |
 | The Romieu gardens were created in 1870 as a place to walk, but over the years it became less frequented. Conscious of the interest of such a park, the town of Bastia wished to change it so that people would once again be attracted to walk in it. It was meant to provide the link between the restored Citadel and the renovated Old Port. |
 | Considered as one of the largest squares in France (300 m long and 90 m wide), it takes its name from a chapel built in the 11th century and destroyed when the esplanade was extended in the 19th century. |
 | The Ancient Documents Collection (Fonds Ancien) has more than 50,000 books, ancient parchments and rare documents. |
 | The Monserato pathway is just a 5 minutes’walk from the town-centre, and provides a fine walk through gardens and fountains. |
 | In past times, ships would anchor in this bay. |
 | The town-centre has many 19th century buildings. |
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 | The Louis XVI gate, main entrance to the citadel. Ramparts of the citadel. |
 | A charming market, full of colour and scent. Every morning, from Tuesday to Sunday (it is busier at the weekend), come and immerse yourself in the warm atmosphere of the traditional market. On the stalls, cooked meats, cheeses, fish and other Corsican gastronomic specialities are offered with a typically Mediterranean loquacious patter. |
 | This chapel is also called the Chapel of the Holy Stairs (Scala Santa). In 1811, 424 Roman priests who refused to pledge allegiance to the Emperor Napoleon I were exiled to Corsica. The priests were well received by the Bastia population who treated them with the greatest respect. |
This is the historic heart of the city. At the foot of the Citadel is the fishing and sailing port of Bastia. For an overall view, you have to go to the Dragon jetty built in the 19th century. From there, when the visibility is good (often when the "Libecciu" is blowing) you can see the Tuscan Islands: Elba, Capraia and Monte Cristo.