Bastia, baroque town of culture. Bastia, dynamic coastal resort. Bastia, centre for gastronomy and wine. Bastia, the gateway to Corsica, has the key for your holiday on the island.
With the help of the Tourist Office, you will have the holidays you dreamed of. The holiday you spend with us can be a special time to enjoy nature, culture, sport, gastronomy and craft products.
Bastia was founded in 1378, when the Genoese governor Leonello Lomellini left the Castle of Biguglia to establish a fortified site "a Bastia".
The site overlooked a small fishing port known then as Porto cardo (the present Vieux Port, or Old Port).
Succeeding governors used the same residence.
From this installation of Genoese citizens and from the construction of ramparts to protect the new habitation grew a new quarter: Terra Nova (the present Citadel).
The old Porto Cardo then became known as Terra Vecchia.
The ramparts were completed in 1480 and fifty years later, in 1530, the Governors’ Palace was completed, backing onto the old keep.
During the 16th and 17th centuries, the high town followed the traditions of Genoese towns: straight streets in a grid pattern.
Many religious brotherhoods were set up and an intense cultural life developed.
From the end of the 18th century, the town prospered and its population grew considerably. During the 19th century, the town stretched towards the north and to higher ground. The urban landscape was in profound change: construction of the Law Courts, extension of the Place Saint Nicolas, construction of many bourgeois residences on wide boulevards.
The heart of the town already had the basic appearance that we can admire today.
1378 : The Genoese governor Leonello Lomellini left the Biguglia château and established a fortified site "a Bastia" which he had built on the promontory overlooking the Vieux Port known then as Porto Cardo.
1480 : The ramparts were completed.
1530 : Completion of the Governor’s Palace.
16/17th centuries : Many religious brotherhoods were set up and a rich cultural and artistic life developed.
1768 : Corsica became French and the Genoese domination ended.
1794 : The British took possession of the town for two years.
1796 :Bastia became once again the capital of the department of Golo.
19th century : the town prospered and developed towards the north and to higher ground.
20th century : In the early 20th century, the new port was completed and the town continued its expansion towards the quarters of Toga and Saint Joseph.
