Calvi Citadel, Calvi, France

The Genoese Citadel is the main part of the town of Calvi, and its most important historical monument. It was a military outpost in the 15th century that helped guard the city against attacks from Franco-Turkish raiders to Anglo-Corsican armies. Inside the battlements, don’t miss the well-proportioned Caserne Sampiero, a military barracks that once served as the Genoese administration's seat of power, and the 13th-century Cathédrale St-Jean Baptiste, whose most celebrated relic is the ebony Christ des Miracles, credited with saving Calvi from Saracen invasion in 1553.

The citadel sits high above Calvi port from where it towers over the sea. From up here you get some great views of the coast and harbour.

Address

Carrughju Agnese, Calvi, France

See all sites in Calvi

Details

Founded: 15th century
Category: Castles and fortifications in France

Rating

4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby

Corte Citadel (43,1 km)
Algajola Citadel (9,4 km)
Church of the Trinity and San Giovanni (11,3 km)
San Giovanni Battista (45,2 km)

User Reviews

Gabriela Menendez (11 months ago)
No taxis, no trash cans and train routes are not accurate. Expect to walk especially If you're staying at the near by camps. City was lovely, tourist friendly and lots of picturest spots.

Vincent Randy Heslop (12 months ago)
Beautiful landmark with lovely views of Calvi and the surrounding coastline. A lot of uphill trekking, so prepare yourself for reaching the top! There are restaurants, gelato, jewelry shops and art displays worth a visit.

Stian Kolstø (13 months ago)
Nice place, worth a visit?

Coralie Pattenden (14 months ago)
Spectacular views of the town below and lots of little, interesting streets to lose yourself in. There are various signs with information and an audio tour I believe people can do (although we didn't). A lovely little church can be found near the top and a delicious ice cream parlour.

Clare Weber (2 years ago)
This is an amazing place. The view's from the top are so beautiful! There is a very old church on top of the Citadel. Beautiful architecture. Friendly city!

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright Christian Lauw

Historic Site of the week

Wieskirche

The Pilgrimage Church of Wies (Wieskirche) is an oval rococo church, designed in the late 1740s by Dominikus Zimmermann. It is located in the foothills of the Alps in the municipality of Steingaden.

The sanctuary of Wies is a pilgrimage church extraordinarily well-preserved in the beautiful setting of an Alpine valley, and is a perfect masterpiece of Rococo art and creative genius, as well as an exceptional testimony to a civilization that has disappeared.

The hamlet of Wies, in 1738, is said to have been the setting of a miracle in which tears were seen on a simple wooden figure of Christ mounted on a column that was no longer venerated by the Premonstratensian monks of the Abbey. A wooden chapel constructed in the fields housed the miraculous statue for some time. However, pilgrims from Germany, Austria, Bohemia, and even Italy became so numerous that the Abbot of the Premonstratensians of Steingaden decided to construct a splendid sanctuary.

Calvi Citadel