Saint John the Baptist Church

Saint-Jean-Baptiste church, the largest in Corsica

The Bastia audio-guided tour stops you before Saint-Jean-Baptiste church, the largest in Corsica, approached with quiet respect. Its two towers dominate the Old Port, where they rise above the boats and houses, forming the emblematic silhouette of the city.

Thirty years of baroque construction

Built in the seventeenth century in a baroque style, on the site of an older church, it required thirty years of work, from 1636 to 1666. The main building was completed in 1666, but the two bell-towers and the façade were added during the nineteenth century. Listed as a historic monument, the church testifies to the prosperity of Bastia in the Genoese era.

What there is to see

The church has a remarkable interior decor, made of frescoes from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and statues, in the great baroque tradition. With respect for silence, you take time to admire the nave, the chapels and the ornamental profusion. From the Old Port, its two bell-towers offer one of the finest images of Bastia.

Practical information

Saint-Jean-Baptiste church is in the Terra Vecchia district, above the Old Port of Bastia. An active place of worship, it can be visited with respect for silence and services; opening times may vary with celebrations and the season. Entry is on the level.

Why is this church famous?

It is the largest church in Corsica. Its two bell-towers, which dominate the Old Port, form the emblematic silhouette of Bastia.

How long did its construction take?

Construction lasted thirty years, from 1636 to 1666 for the main building. The bell-towers and façade were added in the nineteenth century.