Ajaccio citadel

You now have a clear view of the silhouette of Ajaccio’s citadel, outlined above the sea. In 2021, the citadel opened to public for the first time in 5 centuries! Don’t hesitate to take a tour of this tourist landmark. The citadel offers interesting guided tours, exhibitions, stores and restaurants. Before being open to public, the citadel was used by the state’s military services. It was built in 1492, when the Genoese town of Ajaccio was created to control and defend the bay. The Republic of Genoa was an important Italian maritime republic for 8 centuries! By the end of the Middle Ages, it was one of the biggest trading powers in the Mediterranean area. Corsica was managed by the Office of Saint George, considered Europe’s first bank. The first French occupation took place in 1553, and the citadel was transformed. 6 years later, Corsica was returned to the Republic of Genoa. But in the middle of the 18th century, the superb republic, as it was known, had lost just about all its glory. Weakened by the ongoing Corsican revolts, it called on the French for help and gradually let them take control of the island. On May 15, 1768, Corsica came under French administration by decree. If the Republic of Genoa wanted it back, it would have to pay 40 million pounds to compensate for the expenses required to put and end to the rebellion. I might as well tell you that Genoa would never pay such a price! From the beginning of the French reign, the citadel was considerably enlarged, accommodating more than 800 French soldiers, as opposed to the previous less than 100 Genoese soldiers! Over the centuries, the citadel became less and less defensive, eventually becoming military barracks. The barracks were occupied by Italian fascists during World War II. It was here that the famous resistance fighter Fred Scamaroni was imprisoned, choosing suicide over speaking out. Since 2014, the city has been working to integrate the citadel into the urban landscape of the old town. The citadel has been classified as a historic monument, and is now entering a whole new chapter in its history.