Ajaccio citadel

The citadel of Ajaccio

The citadel of Ajaccio is the Genoese military work that watches over the bay since the end of the fifteenth century, at the tip of the old town, facing the sea. The Ajaccio audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this high place charged with history, long reserved for the military and open to the public since 2021 only.

The Genoese fortress finally open

From this point, you have a fine clear view over the silhouette of the citadel of Ajaccio, that stands out against the sea. This fortress was built in 1492, at the foundation of the Genoese town of Ajaccio, in order to control and defend the bay. The republic of Genoa was, for eight centuries, one of the great Italian maritime republics; at the end of the Middle Ages, it counted among the greatest commercial powers of the Mediterranean, and it is the office of Saint George, considered as one of the first great financial institutions of history, that presided over the creation of the town. The citadel, with its keep, its bastions and its ramparts dominating the sea, was the defensive heart of this new town. For centuries, it remained in the hands of the military services of the State and stayed closed to the inhabitants. A major event occurred in 2021: for the first time in five centuries, the citadel was opened to the public. You can now cross its gates to discover guided tours, exhibitions, as well as a shop and catering space. This long inaccessible monument has become one of the high tourist places of Ajaccio, where the military history of the Genoese town mingles with the finest views over the gulf. A Genoese fortress and a belvedere over the bay, the citadel of Ajaccio is a fine stop of the discovery of the town.

What to see

Here you discover the Genoese fortress built in 1492, at the foundation of the town, to control and defend the bay, with its keep, its bastions and its ramparts dominating the sea; long reserved for the military and closed to the inhabitants, it is open to the public since 2021, with guided tours, exhibitions and a shop and catering space, and offers superb views over the gulf. The citadel is a high place of Ajaccio. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The citadel of Ajaccio lies at the tip of the old town, at the edge of the sea, near the port, reachable on foot. Open to the public since 2021, it offers guided tours and exhibitions and follows its own days and opening hours, which vary according to the season. It is best to enquire before coming.

Since when can you visit the citadel of Ajaccio?

Since 2021 only: long reserved for the military services of the State, this Genoese fortress built in 1492 to defend the bay was opened to the public for the first time in five centuries, and now offers guided tours, exhibitions and a shop and catering space, with superb views over the gulf.

Where is the citadel of Ajaccio?

At the tip of the old town of Ajaccio, at the edge of the sea, near the port, in Corsica.