Bastia, a town of art and history

Bastia, Baroque and cultural city. Bastia, the gateway to Corsica, offers you the keys to your stay on the island. Bastia, the gateway to Corsica, offers you the keys to your stay on the island. .

A lot has been said, written and sung about Bastia. Just leaf through a guide, a tourist brochure to contemplate the the city's treasures : Baroque oratories, majestic churches, the Old Port and the Citadel perched proudly on its rocky promontory.

Town of Art and History, enigmatic, timeless, modern and creative Bastia reveals its many facets to visitors. But beyond the gilding, beyond the stones, beyond the palaces... what secrets does it really hide? Bastia ?

To answer this intriguing question, which even most Corsicans ask themselves, all you have to do is wander around the old town centre, because it is in the life of its neighbourhoods, in the encounters with its inhabitants, that the city really comes into its own.’The soul of Bastia expresses itself best.

To discover the Authentic Bastia, Take a stroll through the the narrow streets of Terra-Vecchia, Take time to sample the many regional products on offer at the market or in the shops selling Corsican specialities, and discover local legends and traditions on unusual tours.

Enjoy the’Bastiese art of living, The Bastians are also known for their «a macagna» style of humour.

Bastia, It's a city of four seasons, where you can enjoy a good meal with your family or meet up with friends to share a moment of conviviality at cultural events or sporting or fashionable outings.

So yes, a lot has been said, written and sung about Bastia... and now it's up to you to unlock its secrets!

History of the town

Bastia was founded in 1378 when the Genoese governor Leonello Lomellini left the castle of Biguglia to move to a stronghold in Bastia.

This site overlooked a fishing village known at the time as Porto cardo (now the Old Port).
His successors retained this residence.
The settlement of Genoese citizens and the construction of ramparts to protect the new settlement gave rise to a district: Terra Nova (today's Citadelle).
The former Porto Cardo became Terra Vecchia.
The ramparts were completed in 1480 and it was not until fifty years later (1530) that the Governors' Palace was built against the old keep.
During the 16th and 17th centuries, the upper town followed the tradition of Genoese towns, with a grid layout and straight streets.
Numerous religious brotherhoods came into being and a very intense cultural life developed.
From the end of the 18th century onwards, the town prospered and its population grew significantly. During the 19th century, the town expanded northwards and upwards. The urban landscape underwent a major transformation, with the construction of the courthouse and the extension of the Place Saint Nicolas, The city also saw the construction of a large number of middle-class buildings lining wide boulevards.
The heart of the town then looked as it does today.

A few dates...

  • 1378 : The Genoese governor Leonello Lomellini left the castle of Biguglia and moved to a stronghold «a Bastia», which he had built on the promontory overlooking the Old Port, then known as Porto Cardo.
  • 1480 : The ramparts have been completed.
  • 1530 : The Governors' Palace is completed.
  • 16th/17th centuries: During the 16th and 17th centuries, numerous brotherhoods were formed and a rich cultural and artistic life developed.
  • 1768 : Corsica became French and Genoese domination came to an end.
  • 1794 : The English took possession of the town for two years.
  • 1796 : Bastia once again became the capital of the Golo department.
  • 19th century: During the 19th century, the town prospered and expanded northwards and upwards.
  • 20th century : At the beginning of the 20th century, the new port was completed and the town continued to expand towards the districts of Toga and Saint Joseph.