Bastia, the capital of the Haute-Corse department of France, on the Island of
Corsica is the principal port and its primary commercial town.
Dating from Roman times,
Bastia expanded under the Genoese, who imported wine to the Italian mainland. It was the capital of
Corsica until 1811, when Napoleon ordered the capital moved to his birthplace,
Ajaccio. The Nouveau Port was created in 1862 to service the increasing trade with Italy and France and it became the mainstay of the local economy.
Bastia is a small but charming town with medieval streets and houses, historic churches and vibrant streets with bars and restaurants. There is a bustling daily market in the Place du Marche.
Bastia’s old quarter is Terra Vecchia, with haphazard old streets, Baroque churches and high stone tenements. Place St Nicholas, a charming area, open to the sea, lined with cafes and trees, and the main focus of the town. The two main shopping areas are Boulevard Paoli and Rue Cesar-Campinchi.
Nouveau Port in contrast is modern and bland, although it does have bars and restaurants, and a large number of pizzerias evidencing a strong Italian influence.
Rue Napoleon is a narrow street with ancient shops and the 17th century, chapels of Oratoire de St Roch and the Oratoire de L’Imaculee Conception. The church of St Jean Babtiste built in 1636, dominates the square, and is surrounded by the oldest part of
Bastia, a maze of alleys, vaulted passageways and seven storey houses.
The run down Vieux Port is charming, with high houses leaning towards the sea, a marina crowded with boats and to the south the rock supporting the Citadelle. The Quai des Martyrs has vibrant bars and cafes, with live music and excellent restaurants.
The core of old
Bastia is the affluent Terra Nova, with apartments and historic buildings including the Eglise Ste-Marie built in 1458, housing a silver statue of the Virgin which is carried through the town during the festival of the Assumption.
