Bonifacio (Corsican: Bunifaziu) is a stunning medieval town in
southern Corsica, France, dramatically perched atop dramatic white
limestone cliffs rising 60–70 meters (about 200–230 feet) above the
turquoise Mediterranean Sea. It sits at the southern tip of Corsica,
overlooking the Strait of Bonifacio toward Sardinia. Often called
the "City of Cliffs," it's one of the most picturesque and visited
spots on the island, blending dramatic natural geology, rich Genoese
history, and a fortified citadel.
The town divides into two main
parts: the Upper Town (Vieille Ville / Citadel) on the clifftop
peninsula and the lively harbor (Port de Bonifacio) below, connected
by steep paths and a tourist train.
The Citadel (Citadelle) and Old Town
The heart of Bonifacio is
its 9th-century citadel, founded around 830 AD and later developed
by the Genoese as their first presidio (fortified outpost) in
Corsica in the late 12th century. It remains one of the oldest towns
on the island and has never been conquered since the 16th century
thanks to its ingenious defenses.
The old town features narrow
cobblestone streets, tall medieval houses (often 5–6 stories high
but only one room deep due to the limited space on the peninsula),
churches, and ramparts. Exploring on foot is essential—wander
through atmospheric alleys, admire the architecture, and enjoy
panoramic views. The citadel is encircled by fortified walls with
gates like the Porte de Gênes (Genoa Gate).
Bastion de
l’Étendard
This is the main fortress and highest point in
Bonifacio (about 25 meters / 82 feet tall), making it the tallest
bastion in France. Built in the 13th century and rebuilt in the
16th, it dominates the port and served as the key defensive
structure protecting the entrance to the citadel.
Inside, there's
a small museum covering the town's history, fortifications, Genoese
occupation, and underground chambers once used for storing grain and
gunpowder. The terraces offer 360-degree views over the harbor,
cliffs, sea, and even toward Sardinia. It's a highlight for history
buffs and photographers.
Escalier du Roi d’Aragon (King of
Aragon’s Staircase)
One of Bonifacio’s most iconic and thrilling
landmarks: a steep staircase of 187–189 irregular steps carved
directly into the limestone cliff at a sharp incline.
Legend says
it was carved in a single night in 1420 by troops of King Alfonso V
of Aragon during a siege (to surprise the defenders). In reality, it
was likely built by Franciscan monks to access the freshwater
Saint-Barthélemy well at the base. It's a listed historic monument.
Descending (and especially ascending) is a physical challenge but
rewards you with close-up views of the cliffs and sea. Not for those
with vertigo or mobility issues.
Cimetière Marin (Marine
Cemetery)
Located at the tip of the promontory on the Boscu
plateau near the Church of Saint-François, this is one of the most
beautiful and atmospheric cemeteries in the Mediterranean (sometimes
ranked second-most beautiful after those in places like Genoa). It's
the southernmost cemetery in mainland France.
The site features
elaborate family mausoleums, chapels, and crosses overlooking the
sea, creating a peaceful, almost village-like setting. The views at
sunset are particularly stunning, with the intense blue
Mediterranean as a backdrop. It's a place for quiet contemplation
amid the dramatic scenery.
The Cliffs, Grain de Sable, and
Coastal Walks
Bonifacio’s white limestone cliffs are its defining
natural feature, sculpted by wind and sea into dramatic formations,
caves, and arches. From the citadel ramparts and cliff-top paths,
you get breathtaking views.
Grain de Sable ("Grain of Sand" or "U
Diu Grossu" in Corsican): A massive, isolated limestone stack that
has separated from the main cliff and stands in the sea like a giant
sentinel. Visible from viewpoints in the upper town; it's a famous
postcard subject and symbol of the area's geology.
Cliff walks
(e.g., toward Cape Pertusato) offer more panoramas. The area is part
of the Bouches de Bonifacio Nature Reserve, protecting unique marine
and coastal ecosystems.
Harbor and Boat Tours
The
sheltered natural harbor below is a vibrant marina filled with
yachts, cafés, and restaurants. This is the departure point for boat
tours—the best way to appreciate the cliffs from below.
Popular
options include:
1–1.5 hour tours along the cliffs and through
sea caves (including Sdragonato Cave, with a natural opening shaped
like Corsica’s outline).
Trips to the Lavezzi Islands (a nature
reserve with granite boulders, clear waters, and excellent
snorkeling).
Other Notable Landmarks
Churches: Église
Sainte-Marie-Majeure (Romanesque with a massive arched entrance and
loggia) and others like Saint-Jean-Baptiste.
Phare de Pertusato:
Lighthouse at the southern tip, reachable by hike, with great views.
Beaches nearby: Petit Sperone, Grand Sperone, and others with
turquoise water (short drives or walks).
Best Time to Visit
Ideal periods: May–June and September–October.
Warm weather (good for swimming and boating), fewer crowds than
July–August, and lower prices.
Peak summer (July–August): Very busy,
hot, and parking fills early. French holiday season brings crowds.
Shoulder/off-season: April/May or September/early October for a good
balance. Winter is quiet and atmospheric but cooler with potentially
rougher seas for boat trips.
Tip: Visit early morning or late
afternoon to avoid midday heat and crowds, especially in summer.
How to Get There
Closest airport: Figari-Sud Corse (FIG), ~20–30
minutes drive (22 km). Seasonal flights from Paris, Lyon, Marseille,
etc. Taxis ~€50; limited buses.
By car:
From Porto-Vecchio: ~30–40
min.
From Ajaccio: ~2.5–3 hours.
From Bastia: ~3–4 hours.
Ferry from Sardinia: Frequent 50–60 minute crossings from Santa Teresa
Gallura (Moby Lines, Ichnusa/Blu Navy). Great for day trips.
Public
transport: Limited buses; a car is highly recommended for exploring
beyond town.
Rental car tip: Book early with full insurance. Roads
are winding but scenic.
Getting Around & Practical Tips
The
citadel (upper town) is pedestrian-only. Park and walk or take the Petit
Train (~€6 round-trip) from the marina.
Parking: Challenging in peak
season. Options include:
P5 (Marine Cemetery) — best for citadel
access.
Marina lots (P1/P2) — convenient but fill up.
Arrive
before 10 AM or use paid lots farther out with shuttles. Expect €10–25+
per day.
Wear comfortable shoes — lots of walking, steep stairs,
and uneven cobblestones.
Bring water, sun protection, and sturdy
footwear for cliffs/stairs.
Currency: Euro (France). Tourist office
near the marina for maps.
Top Things to Do
Explore the Citadel
(Vieille Ville): Wander narrow medieval streets, see the 13th–14th
century buildings, churches (e.g., Ste-Marie-Majeure), and ramparts.
Enter via the impressive Porte de Gênes (Genoa Gate).
Cliff Views &
Coastal Walks: Stunning panoramas from the citadel walls. Walk the
Réserve Naturelle des Bouches de Bonifacio trail for views of the Grain
de Sable (a detached limestone rock). Extend to Pertusato Lighthouse
(~45 min each way, southernmost point of mainland France).
Escalier
du Roi d’Aragon: Legendary 187–189 steep steps carved into the cliff
(legend says in one night). Descent offers incredible views; the climb
back is strenuous. Not for those with knee issues or vertigo.
Boat
Trips (highly recommended):
Cliffs & Sea Caves: 1–2 hours to see
Bonifacio from below, including Sdragonato Cave (Corsica-shaped
opening).
Lavezzi Islands: 30–40 min ride to this granite archipelago
nature reserve. Snorkel in clear waters, relax on rocks/beaches.
Half-day or full-day tours with companies like SPMB. Dolphins sometimes
spotted. Book ahead in summer.
Marine Cemetery: Atmospheric "city
of the dead" with white tombs and sea views — worth a quiet visit.
Nearby Beaches (short drives):
Piantarella (easy access,
lagoon-like).
Sperone (white sand, walk involved).
Saint-Antoine
or others in the area. Farther: Rondinara (iconic horseshoe bay).
Marina Stroll: Lively harbor with yachts, restaurants, and
people-watching. Great at sunset.
Where to Stay
In/near
citadel: Hotel Santateresa (great views), Hôtel Genovese (boutique), or
Solemare (waterfront).
Luxury: Version Maquis Citadelle, U Capu
Biancu (intimate, beach access).
Value/Boutique: Colomba Hôtel or
countryside options with pools.
Tip: Stay at least one night for
sunset and early morning magic. Many places close in deep winter.
Food & Restaurants
Corsican cuisine shines here: fresh seafood,
charcuterie (e.g., figatellu), Brocciu cheese, wild boar, canistrelli
biscuits, and local wines.
Recommendations:
Higher-end: L’A Cheda,
Finestra by Italo Bassi, Da Passano.
Popular/Touristy but good: Les 4
Vents, La Bodega Bonifacio, Del Ferro.
Local favorites: L’Archivolto
(rustic seafood/pizza), L’An Faim.
Tip: Book ahead in high season.
Harbor spots are scenic but can be pricier/less authentic — venture into
the citadel for better options.
Sample Itineraries
Day Trip:
Arrive morning, boat tour (cliffs/caves), citadel walk, Aragon stairs,
lunch, marina.
2–3 Days: Add Lavezzi Islands, beach time, coastal
hikes, and a relaxed dinner.
Longer Stay: Base here to explore
southern Corsica (Porto-Vecchio, beaches, etc.).
Additional Tips
Sustainability: Respect the nature reserve — no littering, stick to
paths.
Crowds: Very touristy in summer; go early.
Day Trip from
Sardinia: Feasible and popular.
Health/Safety: Strong winds (Mistral)
common; watch for cliff edges.
The origin of the current town of Bonifacio is not really known
with precision, but approximate dates indicate its refoundation
between 828 and 833 by Boniface II of Tuscany who gave it its
current name. The attested history of Bonifacio dates back to 1195
but the city was colonized by the Genoese who imposed on the city
significant structural military modifications (and who created the
current citadel).
Like all commercial ports, its history has
been relatively turbulent, in particular by a warlike conflict
between Pisa and Genoa, these two republics fiercely fighting over
its citadel which was a strategic military link and a port complex
without equal in Corsica. At first, Pisa was the owner of the place
until the end of the 12th century.
King Alfonso V of Aragon,
held a siege in 1420 for five months before lowering his arms
against the untouchable city that was Bonifacio.
Bonifacio
has suffered multiple attacks over the centuries; but the most
terrible was that of the plague which in 1528 caused more than 4,300
deaths in the city which at that time had 5,000 inhabitants. The
impregnable walls proved to be useless in the face of this scourge.
The Saint-Roch chapel, at the entrance to the city, remains a
testimony to the end of this dark period. There is always a
procession there which reminds us that it is in this place, where
the last Bonifacien affected by the disease died, before the end of
the plague.
In 1553, still very weakened by the passage of
the plague, Bonifacio underwent a new attack and had to go to
Dragut, a former Turkish privateer who is said to have been
commissioned by the Marshal of the Baths. The besieged city
capitulated for the first time and was plundered.
King
François I of France takes possession of a destroyed and depopulated
city that the French are beginning to rebuild, but which, by virtue
of the peace treaty passed in 1559, is returned to the Republic of
Genoa.
Prehistory
The site had already been occupied since
the Neolithic, as evidenced by the discoveries of archaeologists
François de Lanfranchi and Michel Claude Weiss, in 1972, under the
cave known as Araguina, at the entrance to the city. The skeleton of
a woman, the Lady of Bonifacio, has been dated to between 6500 and
7000 BC.
Other archaeological excavations, carried out along
the coast and in the hinterland, show that the bay was occupied as
early as the Neolithic period (5000 to 2500 BC).
Antiquity
According to Ptolemy, the south of the island was occupied by the
people of the Subasani; this territory included the civitates of
Alista and Pallas, with the ports Favonius and Syracusanus. Pallas
or Palla (Var. Pallas, Palas, Palmas, Plenas.), Terminus of the
Antonine itinerary, is identified, rightly, by most geographers with
Bonifacio. The Antonine maritime itinerary, probably drawn up in the
4th century AD, calls fretum Gallicum the strait which separates
Corsica from Sardinia, mentions the Roman road which led from
Mariana to Palla. If he does not quote Palla, Ptolemy speaks of the
Pitanus, located south of Figari and north of Bonifacio (Palla),
which can only be the Ventilegne stream.
With the Roman
Empire, peace favors exchanges between maritime cities. Shelter for
merchant fleets, the port also becomes a commercial base between
nearby Sardinia and Corsica, within the Roman province of
Sardinia-Corsica. The urbanization of the port adapts to
development, requiring the appointment of a praeses, in other words
a prefect, for its administration.
Middle Ages
809, the
annalist of Saint-Bertin reports that the Saracens, who left Spain,
invaded Corsica and that one Easter Saturday, they destroyed an
entire town and carried away its inhabitants, leaving only a few old
men among whom were the bishop.
825, the emperor Louis the Pious
sends his son Lothaire to Corsica, then Boniface II of Tuscany to
drive out the Moorish pirates.
832, Boniface II of Tuscany
fortifies or builds a castle at a place called Calcosalto which
takes the name of Bonifacio.
1012, Guillaume Malaspina, marquess
of Massa, whom certain authors have made descend from Obert Opizzo,
marquis of Tuscany, lands in Corsica at the instigation of Pope
Benedict VIII to drive out the Saracens and reduce the lords to
submission.
1014, defeat of King Abu Hosein Mogehid and end of
the occupation by the Saracens, definitively defeated by the
coalition of the fleets of Pisa and Venice commanded by Guillaume
Malaspina, Marquis of Liguria, General of the Pontifical Galleys.
1070, brief presence in Bonifacio de Génois who are lenders there.
1073, Mathilde de Toscane, Countess of Corsica, donates her States
of Corsica to the Church, Gregory VII ratifies the donation. A
pontifical legate is appointed to civilly administer Corsica.
1077, Gregory VII entrusts the administration of the island to the
Bishop of Pisa.
Rivalry between Genoa and Pisa
1091, the Pisans oust the
Legate and take possession of Corsica.
1095, the legate Dagobert
attends the assembly of Notre-Dame-du-Puy in Auvergne.
1133,
March 19, Pope Innocent II erects Genoa as an archdiocese on which
he subordinates the Corsican bishoprics of Mariana, Nebbiu and
Accia, while those of Aleria, Sagone and Ajaccio depend on the
archdiocese of Pisa. It thus seeks to maintain a balance between the
influences of the two republics and to establish peace.
1134 the
Pisan and Genoese galleys clash throughout Corsica.
1138, the
Genoese Fulcone di Castello, takes on his own initiative and with
the help of his ten galleys, Bonifacio to the Pisans.
1139, the
Republic of Pisa retakes Bonifacio to the Genoese.
1140, the wars
between the Pisan and Genoese parties plunge the whole of Corsica
into anarchy.
1146, Pope Pisan Eugene III confirms to the Pisans
their rights and possessions in Corsica.
1175, overwhelmed by the
abuses of the Pisans, Pope Alexander III no longer recognizes their
privileges.
1181, taking advantage of the celebration of a
marriage, the Genoese take the city by surprise.
1181, November,
the Tuscan Pope Lucius III confirms in Pisa his sovereignty over
Corsica.
1187, the Pisans retake Bonifacio and build a new fort.
Laws and statutes
The Libro rosso was a collection of ancient
Genoese statutes beginning in 1187, now lost, which give Bonifacio
the right to mint money and produce salt.
In 1195, the Genoese
retook Bonifacio, drove out all its inhabitants except thirty
families, and repopulated the city with 400 Ligurian families.
1195, first Genoese Statutes of Bonifacio or 'Capitoli'. The first
podestat is Marcellin Drudo.
1196, the Pisans try to take the
place by force and are repulsed by the Genoese captain Ansalde
Garacco.
In 1198, the Genoese William of Ingone-Tornello
fortified the citadel and protected the port with ten galleys.
1203, a very heavy fine paid by Ligurian bandits in Genoa is used to
strengthen the castle of Bonifacio.
In 1211, the Germanic emperor
Otto IV, an ally of the Republic of Pisa, demanded that the Republic
of Genoa return Bonifacio to them.
1216 on his return from Egypt
where he took part in the Fifth Crusade, Francis of Assisi stopped
at Bonifacio where he spent a season.
1217, Pope Honorius III
puts under his protection Bonifacio who is the object of struggles
between Pisa and Genoa.
1238, the will of Maestro Guglielmo
attests to the existence of a municipal health service.
1258,
December 4, Lazare della Rocca recognizes, for his brother Giudice,
the sovereignty of Genoa to which he donates part of his Boniface
possessions.
1259, January 10, ratifies the act of vassalage and
donations to the Republic of Pisa before several witnesses, notables
of Bonifacio.
1266, the 27 galleys commanded by the Genoese
Admiral Lanfranco Borborino, embark from the port to hunt down
Venetian ships crossing off Sardinia.
1270, construction by the
Templars of a church that takes the name of St. Dominic to honor the
Dominicans who settled there.
1272 Ajaccio was created by the
Genoese as a colony on the model of Bonifacio, 100 Ligurian families
settled there.
1276, December 11, the podestat Pascal da Mare
receives the homage to the Republic of Genoa by Ghiudice de Cinarca.
1278, January 20, the podestat Pierre Mathieu Doria receives the
tribute to the Republic of Genoa by Ghiudice de Cinarca.
1278,
May 16, new privileges granted to the City by the Republic of Genoa.
1280, Pierre-Mathieu Doria (Pier Matteo Doria) is podestat of
Bonifacio. On January 20, Giudice renewed his oath of allegiance to
the Genoese,
In 1285, the Genoese of Bonifacio boarded and took
three Pisan ships at Porto-Vecchio. With the naval battle of the
Meloria the Pisans are forced to leave Corsica.
1290, January 29,
Inghetto Doria, who continues the war against Ghiudice de Cinarca
begun by his brother Luchetto, returns to Bonifacio where he finds
him very ill.
1296, Pope Boniface VIII gives Corsica the title of
kingdom.
Struggle between Genoa and Aragon
1297 April 4,
Pope Boniface VIII gives Corsica and Sardinia as a perpetual fief to
King James II, kings of Aragon, Sicily and Majorca.
1300, the
city has about 3,000 inhabitants.
1318, construction under the
loggia of the cistern which collects rainwater from the roofs.
1321, Feb. 6, new privileges and new statutes.
1331, Aitone Doria
is vicar of the Commune of Genoa in Corsica. He made a pact with
Ranieri da Cozzi, then master of the castle of Cinarca and until
then a supporter of Alfonso IV of Aragon.
1336, betraying
Ranieri, Aitone seizes Cinarca and turns to the main lord of the
south, Arrigo Strambo of Laitala, Ranieri's uncle. They conclude an
alliance pact with Bonifacio, for the conquest of the island. Arrigo
Strambo died the following year, Doria sells Cinarca.
1343, inauguration of the church of St. Dominic, rebuilt on the
ruins of that of the Templars.
1346, November, landing of the
troops of Peter IV of Aragon, without success.
Genoese
Corsica
1347, April, Nicoloso de Levante, vicar of Genoa and
podestat of Bonifacio, receives the submission of the lords
Cinarchesi: Guglielmo and Rusteruccio della Rocca, Lupo and Arrigo
d'Ornano.
1347, November 29, decree opening a loan of 500 Genoese
pounds and constitution of a company with 500 shares for the
acquisition of (trade with) Corsica. Advances are made by Maona, a
financial company for the alum trade. With the borrowed funds, a
naval armament sent to Bonifacio a fleet commanded by Thomas da
Murta, a relative of the Doge Giovanni. Outbreak of plague
throughout the island.
1358, Genoese law prohibiting all
inhabitants from carrying a weapon.
1362, Pope Urban V confirms
to King Peter IV of Aragon the suzerainty over Corsica, provided
that he definitively renounces any claim to Bonifacio,
1371,
deeds added on the First Genoese Statute of Bonifacio or Cartulary
of Bonifacio.
1378, deeds inscribed on the Second Genoese Statute
of Bonifacio.
1380, Polo della Rovere, appointed by Genoa
governor of the two territories that remain loyal to him: Calvi and
Bonifacio.
1380, Arrigo della Rocca, Count of Corsica, attacks
the city by land and sea.
1381, the discord between Arrigo della
Rocca and his allies forced him to abandon the siege.
In 1401, to
escape the retaliation of Guelfuccio d'Ornano, Francis della Rocca
retired to the city after selling for 1,000 Genoese pounds his
lordship of Cinarca to Raphael da Montaldo, whom he named vicar of
the Republic of Genoa.
1409, February 10, Francis della Rocca is
mortally wounded in the neck by a shepherd during the siege of
Biguglia. Her sister Violante della Rocca, who wants to avenge her
brother's death with the help of Genoese troops, is defeated at
Quenza and must take refuge in the city.
1420, October 21, the
fleet of Alfonso V of Aragon (31 ships, 23 triremes and several
transport ships) allied with Corsican contingents, attacked the
square and landed. It is repulsed by the garrison of 250 Genoese.
1420, December, the podestat of Bonifacio requests a truce from
Alfonso V of Aragon and the Corsicans in exchange for thirty
Bonifacio hostages.
1420, December 28, Gianno de Campofregoso,
brother of Thomas, Doge of Genoa, manages to force the blockade and
resupply the Bonifacians.
1421, January 5, forced to help Queen
Joan II of Naples, Alfonso V of Aragon raises the siege after
appointing Vincentello of Istria, viceroy of Corsica. He will rule
the whole island, except Bonifacio and Calvi who will remain loyal
to Genoa.
1421, December, the city has about 8,000 inhabitants.
1424, new helping of the Aragonese, commanded by one of the king's
brothers. They were pushed back as they entered the city.
1453,
from February to May, 6 delegates of the consultation, go before the
Senate of Genoa to request the concession of Corsica to the Office
of St. George which is the official bank of the Republic of Genoa,
while retaining its supreme authority on the island.
1453, June,
Pierre-Baptiste Doria, appointed commissioner of the Office of St.
George, lands at St. Fiorenza, chases Vincentello II of Istria and
the Catalan Juan Villamarina, then takes possession of the squares
of Corté, Calvi, Bastia and Bonifacio. The Office pays £ 8,500 to
the Doge Galeozzo of Campofregozzo to compensate for the loss of
these places.
1454, April 4, the salt pans are closed by the
Board to ensure the monopoly of Genoese salt.
1456, April, one of
the 4 quarters of the body of Raffe de Léca, hanged with his two
brothers after the capture of their castle, is exhibited in the city
of Bonifacio by decision of the commissioner of the office. The
other quarters are exhibited at Calvi, Corté, and Bigoglia, and his
head carried and shown at Genoa.
1459, John II of Aragon, who
still claims suzerainty over Corsica, tries to attract the sympathy
of the inhabitants, but in vain.
1461, the Boniface William of
Orsone helps Louis della Rocca to fight the league formed in Pisa
against the Office of St. George and led by Thomassino de
Campofregoso, son of Janus, former doge of Genoa, and the
granddaughter of Francis of Gentile.
1464, July 12, treaty by
which the Office of St. George sells its concession on Corsica to
François Sforza, Duke of Milan, with the exception of Bonifacio and
Calvi.
1488, Lodiso-Battista de Salvago, podestat, had the
bastion built to defend the city.
In January 1490, Rinuccio della
Rocca declared his allegiance to Genoa and settled in Bonifacio.
1497, David Grillo is podestat.
1498, funeral of Jean Cattacciolo
Modern times
1511 - The whole island passes under the direct
control of Genoa.
During the first war, the war between the
French and the Corsicans against the Genoese
1523, epidemic of black plague which will kill 4,300 inhabitants
out of approximately 5,000 inhabitants.
1529, last death of the
plague, construction of the Saint Roch chapel. The commissioner of
Genoa is Antoine Ivréa, named Furno in Augustin Gustiniani's
Dialogue.
1541, the Turkish fleet, commanded by Dragut besieges
the city then withdraws. In October, Charles V, who returned from
Africa, made a forced stopover in Corsica and stayed in Bonifacio
with Count Philippe Cattacciolo.
1544, June 20, the French under
the command of the Duc d'Enghien try to land in vain.
1552, two
commissioners, Paul-Vincent Lomellino and Bernard Castagna, are
appointed by the Republic of Genoa to inspect the fortifications of
Bonifacio and Calvi.
1553, August 26, 2000 Turks take a position
to besiege the place.
1553, August 28, the governor of the square
is Antoine de Canetto, knight of Malta.
1553, August 31,
Pierre-Jacques d'Ornano leaves Porto-Vecchio and comes to urge the
Bonifaciens to surrender.
1553, September 14, Dragut launches a
first offensive which fails. the Marshal of the Baths charge
Dominique Cattaciollo, Alto-Bello de Gentile and Jacques-Toussaint
II da Mare to obtain the surrender, promising that the city will not
be plundered. Governor Antoine de Canetto and the Senate of
Bonifacio accept the surrender.
1553, September 15, Dominique
Cattaciollo, Jacques-Toussaint II da Mare and Napoleon de Livia
enter the citadel and take possession of the square and city in the
name of the King of France. The Turks enter the port, massacre the
298 Genoese soldiers and demand from the French the payment of
25,000 pounds to compensate for the non-looting of the city. Not
having the money, Marshal des Thermes gave his nephew N de
Montastruc hostage.
1553, September 21, three French companies of
Gascons commanded by N. de Valleron, leave San-Fioranzo to take
possession of the place,
1553, September 22, Dragut's fleet sets
sail for Constantinople.
1553, November 21, a fleet of thirty-two
galleys, commanded by Paulin de La Garde, brought reinforcements.
Achille de Harlay is governor.
During the second war, that of
Sampiero against the Genoese
1554, February 24, Marshal de
Thermes instructs Sampiero Corso to put the citadel in a state of
defense with a view to a Genoese counter-offensive,
1555: the
French join forces with the Turks who ravage Bonifacio.
1556,
January 24, a Genoese fleet of twelve galleys, commanded by Admiral
Jean-Andréa Doria, prepares to retake the place, but a storm sinks
nine of them.
1556, February 6, Sampiero Corso dismisses Governor
La Molla, whom he suspects of connivance with the Genoese, and
replaces him with the commander of the two companies of Gascons,
Jean de Cros.
1557, December 21, a French convoy of three galleys
and three transports, unloads a contingent of French deported to
repopulate Bonifacio.
1558, May, another helping hand from the
Genoese armies commanded by Georges Doria.
1559, September 18, in
application of the Treaty of Cateau-Cambrésis, Bonifacio is handed
over to the Genoese by Jean de Cros and Jean Orsini. Thomas-Odoricci
Gentilé and Christophe de Négri, appointed by Genoa arrive on the
27th.
1562, September 2, Jean-Pierre Vivaldi, appointed
commissioner of Genoa.
1563, March, the Bonifaciens Vitu de
serafini and Mathieu Aldrovandi go to Genoa to request confirmation
of the privileges of the city and obtain it.
1563, March 28, the
citadel receives twelve cannons,
1571, November 12, the Civil and
Criminal Statutes of Corsica are published by the Genoese (they come
into force on February 1 of the following year), a commission is
given to a civil and criminal lieutenant for Bonifacio.
The
civil and criminal statutes of the community of Bonifacio
The
civil and criminal statutes of the community of Bonifacio, drawn up
by Gio-Batista Mazzolaccio, notary, and published in 1619 by the
Republic of Genoa. The podesta is replaced by a commissioner of the
Republic of Genoa appointed for two years from among the Genoese
nobles. He ensures the peace and justice of the canton of Bonifacio
and ensures the maintenance of the institutions of the city of
Bonifacio, which owes Genoa neither tribute nor military service.
The city has the power to defend itself, to administer itself, to
levy taxes on its inhabitants and taxes on goods. The municipal
council of fifty members is reduced by half (twenty-five elected
members over 30 years old, able to read and write and not being
nobles of Genoa or members of the Church plus four elders, all
elected and renewable every years). The elders are the executive,
their seal is deposited with the prior and the measures they can
propose in all areas, must be approved by 2/3 of the councilors. The
election takes place in three stages: co-opting of candidates by the
families, voting, then drawing lots to allocate skills. Municipal
officers are hired by the council:
minestroli enforce decisions,
the port guards do the customs,
estimatore dellà communiti estimate livestock or other damage,
the conservatori di sonità prescribe the care that is free for all
the inhabitants, make the sanitary visits of the boats and decide
the quarantines.
1584, April 4, Chancellor Michel Galetti, of
Bonifacio, is invested by La Plume et l'encrier.
In 1587,
Francesco Stefani arrived from Genoa with two galleys to fight the
Barbarians who infested the coasts. With the Boniface Baptist of
Vitto, he chases them out, killing seventy men and sinking seven
Turkish galleons.
1588, June, a barbaric fleet of 11 galleons
commanded by Hassan Pasha destroys the hamlet of Ogliastru near the
navy of Albo and kidnaps about forty inhabitants who will be sold to
Algiers as slaves.
1641-1788, private foundation of a Mount of
Piety called Opera Antonio Anselmo (AMB Series Companies and Works).
In 1645, Commissioner Jean-Baptiste Doria had two pits built to
serve as grain silos, one in Place Lomenilla for the inhabitants,
the other for the garrison.
1646, the city council hires two
Sardinian priests to instruct the children in the school of
Bonifacio.
1650, there are 200 men at the garrison.
In 1650,
the physician Laurent Millelis de Levante was hired to replace a
Milanese. His successor will be Blaso, a Neapolitan, then
Jean-Baptiste Leccia, a Genoese, then Laurent Sansonio, a Sardinian.
1657, December, plague epidemic, 250 dead.
1671, a law that
specifies that those who have not been Corsicans for at least three
generations cannot be elected commissioners of Ajaccio, Calvi and
Bonifacio.
1677, printing in Milan, of Orazioni, by Thomas
Luccioni, preacher of Bonifacio.
1682, map of the city by J.
Petre, architect in Arles, then hydrographer in Marseille.
1693,
the Bonifacian Michel Portafax, hired as a physician.
1698, the
population of the city is 1,967 inhabitants.
1713, edition in
Marseille of a map of Corsica and its cities, including that of
Bonifacio.
During the great Corsican revolt against Genoa
1729, the population of the city is 2,409 inhabitants.
1733, July
16, the port is monitored, permits are required for all ships
leaving Corsica
1735, all Corsican squares are controlled by the
Genoese.
1736, Theodore de Neuhoff, king of Corsica under the
name of Theodore I, decides to drive out the Genoese and entrusts
Ange-Louis Luccioni with the commission to take Bonifacio. But he
sells the secret plans to attack the place to the Genoese. He is
sentenced to death by the king and shot.
1750, the population is
2,400.
1753, the population is 2,300, including about a hundred
farmers and about sixty day laborers.
1759, arrival of the new
Genoese commissioner for Corsica Jean-Baptiste de Sopranis to
replace Jacques-Marie Doria.
1759, May 23, in the church of St.
John the Baptist, the Genoese commissioner Thomas Spinola calls the
supporters of Genoa to a "consulta."
1764, August 26 night,
Charles François Dumouriez lands in Corsica at Porto-Vecchio to
overthrow Pascal Paoli, he tries in vain to take Bonifacio and
re-embarks.
1765, three Bonifacians, Filipo Cresci, Paschiani and
Matrana decide to hand over their city to the nationalists and meet
Octave Colonna of Istria to develop the attack that is to take place
by sea. But the Pisans are aware of the project and the assailants
who show up at the door do not find the planned internal support and
leave.
1766, October, King Charles Emmanuel III of Sardinia
claims and occupies the Boches Islands (Lavezzi Islands, Cavallo, La
Madeleine, Caprera, St. Stephen's, Razzoli and Spargi) which have
always belonged to Bonifacio.
1767, May, Treaty of Versailles,
cession of Corsica by the Republic of Genoa to the Kingdom of
France, Article 10 provides that all concessions and privileges of
the Island will be abolished, but that the King of France will take
into account those of the inhabitants of Bonifacio, Calvi and
Fiorenza.
French Corsica
1769, April 26, 300 men of the
Royal Artillery Corps take possession of the square.
1770, April,
creation of the civil court.
1766 September 21, fifth session of
the Corsican states, Bonifacio is taxed.
1766, October 1,
installation of the post office.
1766, December 24, Special
Customs Tariff of Corsica, in order to protect local productions.
1772, May 9, a university is established at Corte with four
faculties and four colleges at Bastia, Ajaccio, Cervioni, and Calvi.
1773, The Provincial Assembly of Sartène-Bonifacio, which has 2,236
fires, has the right to six deputies (one of each order per 1,000
fires) in the Assembly of Corsican States (three of each order).
1775, June 20, a school with two masters is established in
Bonifacio by the Assembly of Corsican States.
1775, end of
construction of the Montlaur barracks started by the Genoese.
1783, October 28, Antoine Constantini, of Bonifacio, is responsible
for re-embarking for Malta all the Corsicans banished for having
sided with the English (in 1776) during the war against France.
1784, signing in Bonifacio of an amnesty treaty in which the king,
offended, asks all his jurisdictions, because of the Returned Peace,
to kindly release the guilty of banishment and all other penalties.
Contemporary period
During the French Revolution
1789,
December, the administration of all the cities is reorganized by the
Constituent Assembly under the name of communes.
1792, May 8, a
project to invade Sardinia is presented to the National Legislative
Assembly by Antoine Constantini, mayor of Bonifacio, deputy
extraordinary. Accepted by the National Council of the Legislative
Assembly, Pascal Paoli will be appointed lieutenant general of the
21st military region and responsible for preparing operations.
1793, January 25, Napoleon Bonaparte stayed in the Passano house in
Bonifacio to prepare for the invasion of Sardinia. But Paoli is
against it.
1792, February 19, embarkation from Bonifacio to
retake the islands of Boches.
1793, June 19, Antoine-Marie
Suzzareli, member of the provisional government of Corsica and
Thomas-André Celani are elected nationalist deputies of the
community of Bonifacio.
nineteenth century
1802, opening
of a school by the Brothers of the Christian Schools
1803,
organization of the Corsican hunter battalions, that of Bonifacio
has 150 men
1804, official installation of the Masonic Lodge La
Fraternité
1813, the statue of the Holy Trinity is stolen by
Sardinian bandits from the Hermitage of the Trinity
1817, the
lieutenancy of the Gendarmerie is closed
1821, October 30, a
Neapolitan-type felucca hacks light craft
1823, opening of a
cantonal mutual school, opening of the current cemetery
1827, the
lieutenancy of the gendarmerie is reopened
1833, on April 7,
1833, the mayor Nicolas Trani was beaten and insulted in the church,
and two gendarmes were seriously injured during the funeral of the
parish priest
1854, construction of the Porte Neuve by the
Military Engineers
1855, sinking of the French frigate La
Sémillante on the Lavezzi Islands (773 soldiers or sailors dead)
1858, opening of a private Bonifacio-Ajaccio maritime line by the
company Valéry Frères
1859, the imperial Ajaccio-Bonifacio road
is completed
1865, project for a Bonifacio-Bastia railway line
Twentieth century
1962, arrival from Algeria of the 2nd
foreign infantry regiment
1982, departure of the Foreign Legion
for Nîmes.
Location and Regional Context
Bonifacio sits directly on the
Mediterranean Sea, overlooking the Strait of Bonifacio (Bouches de
Bonifacio / Bocche di Bonifacio), which separates Corsica from
Sardinia (Italy). The strait is approximately 11–12 km (about 7
miles) wide at its narrowest, with depths up to 100 meters. It
connects the Tyrrhenian Sea (to the east) with the western
Mediterranean Sea.
The town lies just west of Cap Pertusato,
Corsica’s southernmost point. Its territory includes offshore
islands like the Lavezzi Islands (Îles Lavezzi), making Bonifacio
the southernmost commune in Metropolitan France. The surrounding
area features a mix of dramatic coastline, limestone plateaus, and
transition to the granitic interior of Corsica.
Topography
and Geology
Bonifacio’s geography is defined by its unique
limestone peninsula and cliffs. The old town (Haute Ville / Citadel)
is perched atop a narrow, chalk-white limestone promontory roughly
1–1.5 km long and about 200 meters wide. This finger-like landform
parallels the coast and creates a natural harbor (a drowned ravine
with fjord-like qualities) in the Bay of Bonifacio.
Cliffs:
The limestone cliffs rise 70–100 meters (230–330 ft) above sea
level, heavily eroded by the sea into unusual shapes, sea caves,
arches, and overhangs. Many historic buildings appear to teeter on
the edge, with the cliffs undercut by wave action.
Geological
Contrast: The southern coast features this limestone outcrop (part
of the Miocene Bonifacio Formation, a sedimentary basin), which
contrasts sharply with the underlying and inland granite that
dominates much of Corsica and Sardinia. Inland, the limestone
plateau (causse) extends several kilometers before transitioning to
granite.
Elevation: The town itself ranges from sea level at the
harbor to about 70 meters on the clifftops. The broader commune
includes higher terrain inland, consistent with Corsica’s
mountainous character (average island elevation ~568 m, with peaks
over 2,000 m).
The landscape is sculpted by marine erosion,
wind, and historical sea-level changes. Features include sea caves,
sculpted rocks (e.g., "Grain de Sable" or "Big Finger" offshore),
and a complex coastline with coves, gulfs, and beaches.
Harbor and Coastal Features
The port lies in a sheltered bay
protected by the promontory. It has historically served as a
strategic natural harbor and now functions as a yachting marina and
small commercial port. The coastline extends about 65 km within the
commune, featuring two maritime façades (east and west), numerous
creeks, coves, beaches, and the protected marine area of the Strait
(part of France’s largest mainland nature reserve, ~80,000
hectares).
Climate
Bonifacio has a hot-summer
Mediterranean climate (Csa), moderated by its coastal position:
Summers: Warm to hot, dry, and sunny (average highs around 24–25°C
in July/August).
Winters: Mild but windy (average lows around
10–11°C in winter).
Annual precipitation is relatively low
(~550–580 mm), with wetter months in autumn/winter.
Strong winds
are common due to the Venturi effect in the strait, which can
accelerate air flow between the islands.
Vegetation and
Surroundings
The area features maquis (Mediterranean scrubland),
woods, old olive groves, and abandoned vineyards. The limestone soil
supports specific flora, while the broader region transitions to
granite-based landscapes. The offshore islands and waters are rich
in marine biodiversity.