Guasco Place

This little square is Place Guasco. With its traditional Corsican charm, it offers a peaceful break in the heart of the Citadel, and a few surprises beneath the surface. In 2019, it made headlines when archaeological remains were uncovered here.

The central wall of a 16th-century house was discovered, proving that this was once a residential area. Alongside the wall, fragments of Tuscan and Ligurian ceramics from the same period were also discovered, offering a glimpse into everyday life in Bastia centuries ago.

These remains are still beneath your feet today, now protected beneath stone paving made from Brando stone. The square wasn’t laid out until 1859, making it one of the city’s newest at the time. An entire block of houses was demolished to make space for the square.

It was later named after Monseigneur Joseph Guasco, who served as the cathedral’s archpriest during the 19th century.