Bonifacio

After the beaches of Porto Vecchio we wanted to explore a different side of the region. And what better destination than Bonifacio? It is a town dramatically perched on top of 200 feet high cliffs of limestone. Thanks to such height, there are wonderful views from almost every point on the Ville Haute. From here we also got a glimpse of Sardinia, which lies a mere 12 kilometers away. Given its proximity to Italy, its not surprising to learn that its name comes from Bonifacio, the Marquis of Tuscany who gave the town his name in 828. That said, it didn’t stop other European leaders from coveting the little town and it was the site of many sieges, most notably in 1420 by King Alfonso V of Aragon. A souvenir of that siege is the famous stairway of 187 steps cut into the cliff-side supposedly cut by the King’s soldier’s in one night.

Nowadays, Bonifacio is well and truly recovered from the many sieges that have taken place. The narrow cobbled stones are perfectly restored and many houses, despite their rather humble facades go as high up as 5 storeys. Amidst all the remaining medieval houses are shops selling tourist souvenirs and handicrafts. And at night, the citadel is hauntingly lit while the port area bustles with cool restaurants and cafes.

One can really appreciate the harbor from vantage point of the Ville Haute

Views of the old town

And a photo of what has to be one of the striking sights found in Corsica