Corse · Haute-Corse, France

Citadelle de Corte

Corsica's only inland citadel, an eagle's nest on a rock spur where the Restonica meets the Tavignano — and the capital of Pasquale Paoli's independent Corsican Republic (1755–1769), which gave Europe one of its first Enlightenment constitutions. Today it houses the Museum of Corsica.

At a glance

Built: 1419 (eagle's nest); enlarged 18th–19th c.
Style: Mountain citadel
Commissioned by: Vincentello d'Istria; later French works
Signature feature: The 'eagle's nest' keep of 1419 on its rock prow
Paoli: Capital of the independent Corsican Republic, 1755–1769
The constitution: Paoli's 1755 constitution — a landmark of the Enlightenment
Today: Museu di a Corsica within the citadel
Visiting: Open to visitors (museum, seasonal calendar)