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In the heart of the citadel, in the former Governors' Palace, this MUSEUM offers a timeless visit for young and old alike.
What better place to house Bastia's museum than the Genoese Governors' Palace? The permanent collections retrace the city's history in a building that has itself been transformed over the centuries. Built in the 14th century and refurbished in the 16th and 17th, the palace was first the seat of the Genoese Republic in Corsica. It was then the center of power under the Ancien Régime, before being used as a barracks until the end of the Second World War, when it was attacked several times. It only became a museum in the early 1950s.
The tour begins with a descent into the basement, the former prison and the cistern. We then discover ancient and medieval Corsica, then the process of urbanization of Bastia through an impressive model. We also take a closer look at Bastia's furniture and maritime life. There's also a collection of objects from the Ancien Régime and the Revolutionary and Napoleonic periods, bequeathed to the museum in 1973 by the mayor of Marseille, Michel Carlini. Painting is not to be outdone: numerous canvases, including some thirty that belonged to Cardinal Fesch, Napoleon's uncle, bear witness to the artistic effervescence that reigned in Bastia in the 19th century. Don't forget to end your visit in the charming hanging garden atop the ramparts, from where you can gaze out over the city and the Tuscan archipelago.
Temporary exhibition from July 6 to December 21, 2024: Corsica Rumana, a Mediterranean island in Roman times.
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Opening time and information on BASTIA MUSEUM
Closed on November 1, November 11, May 1 and May 8, and during the Christmas school vacations. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 9am to 12pm and 2pm to 5pm. Free admission for children under 10. Adults: €5 (€1 garden only). Children (aged 10 to 18): €2.50. Group (10 people): €4. Free for all from January 2 to April 30. Musée de France label. One star in the Michelin Green Guide. Store.
Message from Management
The Musée de Bastia is a landmark of Corsican heritage. Formerly the Genoese Governors' Palace, it is located in the heart of Bastia's citadel, in the Terra Nova district. It offers magnificent views over the islands of the Tuscan archipelago. The fortress walls and residences bear the imprint of the Republic of Genoa. The enclosure boasts collections revolving around history and the fine arts. You'll discover sculptures, paintings, furniture, artifacts and multimedia that reveal seven centuries of the city's and Corsica's history. Italian paintings from the 17th and 18th centuries are also on display. Each year, the museum organizes a major temporary exhibition or revisits the island's heritage and history. And it regularly hosts numerous cultural events. This historic monument is well worth a visit!
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