Escalier Roy Aragon Marches Falaises Bonifacio

189 steps into the cliffEnter the legend!

L’Escalier du Roy d’Aragon

Visiting Bonifacio’s old town? A stop at the Escalier du Roy d’Aragon is a must. An architectural curiosity unique in the Mediterranean, it has been proudly cutting through the impressive cliffs of the medieval town for over six centuries.

Whether you’re a family, a group of friends or on your own, this 189-step staircase, dug out by hand with its irregular steps, guarantees an unforgettable visit.

A surreal experience

Open all year round, this legendary staircase unveils a 180° panorama: here, the white of the cliffs intermingles with the turquoise waters of July, and the ochre melts into the bluish grey of December. A year-round kaleidoscope of colors.

The spectacle is grandiose, almost surreal. The long walk below only enhances this cinemascope-like visual experience.

You walk alongside the sea with the distinct sensation of being on the water at times. In the distance, the indented coastline of Sardinia stares back at us. The staircase is a challenge of nature, a real adventure that has to be earned, with the satisfaction of exceptional shots at the end.

I reserve

“The Escalier du Roy d’Aragon continues to amaze today’s visitors, just as it did the 19th-century writer Prosper Mérimée.

A historic headquarters

The legend is born

French writer Prosper Mérimée, who visited Corsica in 1839 and was Inspector General of Monuments Historiques, was stunned by this remarkable achievement, a testament to the ingenuity of the ancients. Today, this singular work of art is listed as a Monument Historique.

But where does its name come from? Who is this Roy d’Aragon? We need to go back in history and grasp the importance of one date: 1420.

At that time, King Alfonso V, of Aragonese origin, was master of Sardinia and the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. An enemy of the Republic of Genoa, he demanded the annexation of Corsica. Besieging Bonifacio for more than two months and facing resistance from Bonifacians loyal to Genoa, he is said to have asked his soldiers in vain to dig this staircase – and all in one night! The aim? To gain access and finally take Bonifacio. The bravery of the Bonifacians, aided by Genoa, brought the impetuous king to his knees. Out of spite, he left Bonifacio in the early days of January 1421. And so the legend is born!

What if this staircase was simply a “fire escape”? Antonio di Montaldo’s correspondence of 1481 describes and sketches the modernization of the Torrione, a medieval tower built by the Genoese near the present site of the Escalier. The project for a Soccorso staircase, dug into the cliff, is also mentioned. Was it a simple project or the official act of creating the staircase? The mystery remains.

A story of rifts and shafts

In fact, the origin of the Escalier is geological: it’s a natural fault, like a narrow passage already used in prehistoric times and developed over the centuries into a staircase. But why take such pains to carve out a staircase at this point on the cliff, whose only exit was, at first sight, the shoreline? One hypothesis might explain this architectural feat.

The long path below once provided access to a cave that housed a pool of fresh water and supplied the inhabitants in times of extreme need. And it was probably in medieval times that monks living in this part of the citadel carved these famous steps.

A staircase to be earned!

So are you ready to give it a try? Challenge yourself and your family! Every child over the age of 3 who climbs these picturesque steps will be awarded a diploma.

Be aware that this very special historic site requires a good level of physical fitness, as well as the observance of a few safety rules. Before coming, take the time to read the rules and regulations.

To make sure you enjoy your visit to the site, access to the staircase is reserved for people wearing flat, closed-toe shoes only (flip-flops, flip-flops and heels are not permitted). A baby carrier is compulsory for children under 3. Helmets are available for use during the tour.

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