Oct 25, 2012

Bonifacio,, Corsica


Bonifacio




By going to Bonifacio located in the extreme south we now have traveled the full length of Corsica from North to South over the highest mountain range in the Mediterranean. No easy feat on these roads. Between the cloud cover , smoke and winding roads you definitely have to slow down and focus.. The town setting is spectacular setting on cliff edges along the coast. The size of the walls baffle me on how they were built centuries ago ....with no power tools ? Beautiful place and worth the effort to get there.

Bonifacio is located directly on the Mediterranen Sea, separated from Sardinia by the Strait of Bonifacio. It is a city placed on the best and only major harbor giving it the distinction of being the southernmost commune in Metropolitan France.

The town citadel was built in the 9th century with the foundation of the city. The Citadel has been reconstructed and renovated since its construction and most recently was an administrative center for the French Foreign Legion. Today it is more of a museum. Within the walls is an impressive cemetery , all above ground in granite and marble mausoleums that date back a couple of centuries.

Bonifacio is the oldest town in Corsica and has the oldest inhabitant, the notable Lady of Bonifacio, a female burial carbon-dated to about 6570 BC.

























Prison with a view



















Compare cars to wall size !













Walking up is a workout

Looking down from inside the wall


Draw bridge type doors





Aboce the apartment door where Napoleon lived





parking is always a challenge












Staircases to upper floors are like ladders ...straight up




French foreign legion memorial. This was there citadel home







Leaning tower of ?














A fixer upper with a great view

WW II gun placement ?



Very old town cemetery









Available



Lighthouse




WW II Big gun bunkers guarding the coast


Born 1816 lived to 96...impressive






Working that arm
Past memories of a loved one



Carved out of solid rock




Time stopped...French foreign legion clock

French foreign Legion monument


Steep stairs are common



Red Coral is a local treasure.from the sea






Carried through town on religious day


Saint John the Baptist



Locals waiting for business




The supermarket


Thread fro sale









Looking for something special






Blogger Tom

















A little perspective


Who owns all these boats ?





Again ...who owns these yachts ...no one in this town .



Local Mermaid


Route 66 in southern Corsica ?



Portable stop light ...I like it