The Citadel

The Citadel of Bastia, the upper town of Terra Nova

The Bastia audio-guided tour invites you to look up at the Citadel, one of the most historic parts of the city, perched just above the Aldilonda. Built on a rocky promontory overlooking the Old Port, it forms the Terra Nova district, the upper town.

Terra Nova facing Terra Vecchia

The Citadel, in Corsican A Citatella, contrasts with the lower town, the Terra Vecchia, which gathers the Old Port and the streets of the centre. Built by the Genoese, it was the heart of the city's military and administrative power. Its narrow lanes and its houses with colourful façades form a richly historic ensemble, testifying to several centuries of Corsican and Genoese history.

What there is to see

It is pleasant to stroll through the lanes of the Citadel, which shelter several emblematic monuments of Bastia, including Sainte-Marie cathedral and the Governors' Palace. You also enjoy fine views over the Old Port and the sea. It is the ideal district to travel back in time and grasp the soul of the city.

Practical information

The Citadel of Bastia stands on a rocky promontory above the Old Port, forming the Terra Nova district. Its lanes can be walked freely at all hours; sloping and cobbled, they call for good shoes. The monuments it shelters keep their own hours.

What is the difference between Terra Nova and Terra Vecchia?

Terra Nova refers to the upper town, the Citadel built by the Genoese, while Terra Vecchia is the lower town, gathering the Old Port and the streets of the centre.

What monuments does the Citadel shelter?

The Citadel shelters in particular Sainte-Marie cathedral and the Governors' Palace, among its narrow lanes and colourful houses.