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- 6 things to do in Bastia
6 things to do in Bastia
Stroll around the old port, enjoy the view of an Italian-style square, let yourself be struck by the baroque richness of the churches. These are just some of the things you can do in Bastia!1- Relax in Place Saint-Nicolas
With its 300 meters by 70, Bastia's main square is one of the largest in France and almost twice the size of St. Mark's Square. The square is bordered by 19th-century townhouses to the west and with open views of the commercial port to the east. Plane trees and palm trees adorn the square, which is filled with cafes and bars. Here you'll also find a statue depicting Napoleon in the guise of a Roman emperor.
2- Visit the Palais des Gouverneurs
The Genoese governors controlled the whole of Corsica from this palace, built at the same time as the rest of the citadel. In the early days its main purpose was defensive, as a watchtower at the entrance to the port. Some highly innovative features made it difficult to conquer by siege, including two huge underground water basins to ensure a supply that would last for months. The interior is now home to the Museum of Bastia.
3- Chemin des Glacières de Cardo
Right next to the church in the nearby village of Cardo is the trail for a hike that will end with a bit of Genoese history. The walk is well-marked and winds through Mediterranean scrub and past a couple of natural water sources. Eventually you will come to two icehouses, dating back to 1500 and 1800 respectively! On the spot you will find an informative plaque that will tell you how the ice houses worked and that the path you took would have been used to bring the ice to Bastia with donkeys.
4- Bastia Museum
The provincial museum was recently renovated and has no less than 17 rooms. Here you will find a comprehensive summary of Bastia's birth and growth, its role as the seat of power and its culture. There's a large-scale model of the city, furniture, paintings, treasures and an array of maritime artifacts.5- Diving
6- Visit the Église de Monserrato
Hidden in the countryside just outside of Bastia and reachable on foot in about 20 minutes, this baroque church is worth the effort because it contains something found in only a few Christian buildings in Europe, namely a Holy Staircase! A ladder that religious penitents must climb on their hands and knees to be absolved of their sins. The right to have a Holy Staircase was a real concession by Pope Pius VII, as a reward for giving asylum to 424 Roman prelates driven out of mainland France by Napoleon in 1801.Compare now the offers of flights to Bastia with our search engine!
