Logo Musée du Patrimoine

All French heritage classified by regions, departments and cities

  2. Patrimoine
  3. Corse
  4. Corse-du-sud
  5. 20137 Porto-Vecchio

  6. Fortified urban precinct, called Citadelle

Fortified urban precinct, called Citadelle à Porto-Vecchio en Corse-du-sud

Corse-du-sud

Fortified urban precinct, called Citadelle

    47 Rue U Borgo
    20137 Porto-Vecchio
Photo de Fortified urban precinct, called Citadelle
Crédit photo : Bruno Barral - Sous licence Creative Commons

Timeline

Bas Moyen Âge
Renaissance
Temps modernes
Révolution/Empire
XIXe siècle
Époque contemporaine
1500
1600
…
2000
1539
Porto-Vecchio Foundation
1541-1544
Construction of the Citadelle
1578
Attempted colonization
2019
Historical Monument
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui

Heritage classified

In total, the bastion of France (Case AE 231); the facades, roofs and terraces of the bastion Saint-Georges (see AE 161); the facades, roofs and terraces of the bastion of the Palace (see AE 152); the facades, roofs and terraces of the San Antonio bastion (see AE 351); roof facades and terraces, as well as the seat plot of the gate bastion (see AE 328); the facades, roofs and terraces, as well as the seat plot of the Genoese door (see Box. AE 340-341) : registration by order of 10 September 2019

Key figures

Olgiati - Italian fortifier Author of the original Citadel plan.
Antonio de Fornari - Work Supervisor Directed construction with Spinola.
Bartolomeo Spinola - Colonel and Engineer Collaborated in building fortifications.
Simone Carlone - Technical Collaborator Participates in the implementation of the project.
Pietro Massa - Initiator of *Ventimiglia la nuova* Attempted colonization in 1578.

Origin and history

The Citadel of Porto-Vecchio, founded ex nihilo in 1539, was built between 1541 and 1544 under the impulse of the bank of Saint Georges. Designed by Italian fortifier Olgiati, his realization was supervised by Antonio de Fornari, Colonel Bartolomeo Spinola and Simone Carlone. This project was part of a policy of colonization of Corsica, with a typical 16th century military architecture, marked by five bastions and a genoese gate, which remained intact despite the centuries.

Unlike other Corsican fortifications, the Citadelle did not undergo any further changes (such as Vauban improvements), thus preserving its original state. Despite unsuccessful attempts at colonization in the 16th century, including that of Ventimiglia la Nuova in 1578, the lack of interest in the site paradoxically allowed its conservation. The urban expansion of the 20th century, however, altered the courtesies, integrated into modern housing.

Listed as a Historic Monument in 2019, the Citadelle includes protected bastions (France, Saint-Georges, Palais, San Antonio, Porte) and a Genoese gate. A mixed property (municipal and private), it bears witness to a rare Genoese military architecture, almost unchanged since its construction. Its initial plan, designed for systematic colonization, reflects the strategic ambitions of the time.

External links

Page Monumentum