Couple Parcours Patrimonial Bonifacio Autrement

Discover Bonifacia's history as you go

Heritage trail: Bonifacio Autrement

The Bonifacio Autrement application lets you discover the history of Bonifacio through the major chapters that have forged its identity: the military, the economy, monastic and fraternal life, town planning, administrative management and many other subjects. For those of us who are fans of history and anecdotes, this tour allowed us to wander freely and at our own pace during our winter stay. By means of totems, desks and markers, and in any order we liked, we were able to find out more about certain places or historical facts linked to the town of Bonifacio.

Departure from the Navy

From the fishermen’s house, we flash three markers on the Marine. These tell us a little more about this fishermen’s district, once famous for its lobster fisheries, which were exported to the mainland. We then walk up to the Porte de Gênes via the Church of St. Erasmus. The signpost tells us about the history of the Citadelle, and in particular its Genoese past. It also tells us about the various conflicts Bonifacio has been involved in.

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In the Citadel

Several desks mark our steps. Water management, Genoese administration, relations with Sardinia – a wide range of themes are covered. Always related to the place in which the totem pole is placed. We pass other visitors enjoying the explanations in their own language. All content is available free of charge in French, English, Corsican, Italian and Spanish. We arrive at theEscalier du Roy d’Aragon. We listen to/read the explanations provided by the QR code. We watch the film on the history of Bonifacio’s Torrione. Then it’s off down the 189 steps of the Escalier, before resuming the heritage trail itself.

Stop at Bastion de l'Étendard

Bonifacio Héritage, l'offre patrimoniale quatre saisons

Cimetiere Marin Bonifacio Ciel Automnale

An arrival near the marine cemetery and fortifications

Step by step, the route takes us to the western end of the Upper Town. Near the marine cemetery, then the former Convent of St. Francis. The view of Sardinia is incredibly clear. One of the markers tells the story of La Sémillante, a French Navy shipwrecked off the Lavezzi Islands in 1855. We learn with emotion that none of the 704 sailors on board survived. The tour ends here for us.

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Cimetiere Ile Lavezzu Naufrage Semillante Bonifacio

En route to the crossing

We decided to head back down to La Marine to buy a boat ticket to the Lavezzi islands, and see for ourselves the beauty of the place, as well as the stele paying tribute to the sailors of La Sémillante. We might not have visited the Lavezzu Islands with the same eye, had we not followed the itinerary before going there. We’re delighted with the knowledge we’ve gained in this way. In total autonomy.