Bonifacio, Town of Art and History

Culture and heritage

With the Ville d’Art et d’Histoire label since 2019, Bonifacio, a sentinel on the Mediterranean, brings its heritage to life. Thanks to the preservation and enhancement of its historic monuments and medieval citadel, Bonifacio tells the story of its people and visitors in a variety of complementary ways. Guided tours, exhibitions, the Festival of Lights, the Contemporary Art Biennial, as well as local gastronomy, religious traditions, heritage trails… all combine to make a stay in the medieval city a unique experience.

Stroll (and get lost?) around the Citadelle

Narrow streets, Genoese architecture, churches, squares, views of the port or Sardinia, Bonifacio’s citadel offers visitors a wide range of approaches. You can approach it by following a map on your smartphone to discover the points of interest, or wander around with your nose to the wind, on the lookout for surprising or well-hidden ornamental details. Early in the morning, enjoy breakfast in the coolness of these walls steeped in history, or in the evening, enjoy the cosy, typically Mediterranean ambience.

Discover

Taking the plunge

Bastion de l'Étendard

The Bastion de l’Etendard is the highest in Europe. It towers 25 meters above the Bonifacio Marina. The view from its esplanades offers spectacular vistas of the town and the sea, which you’ll never tire of.

PASS MONUMENT

Visite Guidee Nela Groupe Visiteurs Bonifacio

Guided tours of Bonifacio

Religious heritage

Bonifacian churches

Bonifacio’s rich heritage also lies in the diversity of its churches. They range in size and style, from the westernmost church, Saint-François, to the easternmost, Sainte-Marie-Majeure, not forgetting Saint-Dominique, Corsica’s only Gothic church. A well-kept and lively heritage, all the town’s churches resound in unison during Holy Week every year.

Trinity Hermitage

Cimetiere Marin Coucher De Soleil Mer Bonifacio

The marine cemetery

Bonifacio’s churches

Semaine Sainte Confreries Vendredi Saint Bonifacio

Bonifacian brotherhoods

The Staircase of Legends

The Escalier du Roy d’Aragon, carved into the limestone cliff, is one of the town’s historic monuments. A visit to the Escalier du Roy du Aragon will provide you with both exercise and contemplation as you descend its 189 steps and find yourself facing Sardinia, just above water level.

Escalier Roy Aragon Marches Falaises Bonifacio

L’Escalier du Roy d’Aragon

Heritage events

A year-round heritage calendar

One of Bonifacio’s secrets lies in its inventiveness and constant renewal. While Holy Week fosters the fervor of the town’s brotherhoods and brings the inhabitants together, in July Festi Lumi reveals the town’s various emblematic sites through three days of light shows and projections. Every summer, the De Renava team welcomes contemporary digital artists to the Montlaur barracks, and every other year presents works in little-known Bonifacian sites (former cinema, impluvium, cistern…).

Holy Week

BIENNALE D'ART CONTEMPORAIN, DE RENAVA

FESTI LUMI BONIFACIO

Bonifacio Héritage: heritage on the move

Discover the city on your own

Finally, Bonifacio offers you the chance to learn more about its history in a fun and educational way, in complete autonomy: audio-guide, Bonifacio Autrement digital heritage trail, Pif Gadget application, escape game in the town… try out these tools and transform Bonifacio into a heritage playground with friends or family.