Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The citadel of Ajaccio was built in the 16th century by the Republic of Genoa to strengthen its control over Corsica. The site, chosen for its strategic position surrounded by sea on three sides, already housed an abandoned medieval fort. The works began in 1492 under the direction of Domenico de Negroni, with a first square tower and ditches. This first state, of medieval design, was completed by walls in 1502 to protect the new adjacent neighborhood.

In 1553 the citadel was briefly occupied by the French, led by Paul de La Barthe de Thermes, before being returned to Genoa in 1559. Faced with the Turkish threat, Genoa strengthened the fortress from 1563 under the direction of engineer Giovan Giacomo Paleari Fratino. The latter modernized the defenses, destroying houses and churches to create a break between the citadel and the city, and designing a system of coastal towers, including the first Martello tower.

The citadel also played a role in the troubles of Easter 1792, where national guards, including Napoleon Bonaparte, fought with locals. In 2012, it was classified as a historic monument in its entirety, before being assigned to the city of Ajaccio in 2014-2015. Today, it represents a major heritage issue for the municipality, requiring upgrading work.

Its architecture reflects genoese and French influences, marked by construction phases adapted to external threats (piracy, European conflicts). The citadel also illustrates local tensions, as during the riots of 1792, where it became a symbol of contested power. Its recent transfer to the city marks a new stage in its preservation and development.

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