Corse · Haute-Corse, France

Citadelle de Calvi

Genoa's proud bastion on the Balagne coast — 'Civitas Calvi semper fidelis' is still carved over the gate. Behind its ramparts above the bay, Calvi nurses two legends: a disputed claim to be Columbus's birthplace, and the certain fact that Nelson lost the sight of his right eye besieging it in 1794.

At a glance

Built: 13th–16th centuries
Style: Genoese citadel
Commissioned by: Republic of Genoa
Signature feature: Genoese bastioned ramparts above the Bay of Calvi
Motto: 'Semper fidelis' — always faithful to Genoa
Nelson: Wounded here in the siege of 1794, losing the sight of an eye
Legend: Calvi's contested claim as Christopher Columbus's birthplace
Visiting: Citadel freely accessible