Cathedrale Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption (Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption), Ajaccio (must see)

The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption is a historic religious landmark in Ajaccio’s old town. Completed in 1593, it reflects the Counter-Reformation architectural style, featuring a Latin cross layout and a central dome. The cathedral is also dedicated to Saint Euphrasius and Saint Francis Xavier. It holds great historical significance, as it was here that Napoleon Bonaparte was baptized on June 21, 1771. In 1906, the cathedral was officially listed as a historic monument, cementing its status as one of Ajaccio’s most important religious sites.

Inside, the high altar, a gift from Napoleon’s sister, Elisa, in 1811, serves as a focal point. Several side chapels add to the cathedral’s artistic and historical value. The Chapel of the Madonna del Pianto houses a painting by Eugène Delacroix, The Virgin of the Sacred Heart, while the Chapel of Our Lady of Mercy honors Ajaccio’s patron saint, credited with saving the city from the plague in 1656. The Bonaparte family tomb is located beneath the Chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary, further linking the cathedral to Napoleon’s legacy.

Notable highlights include the baptistery where Napoleon was baptized, adorned with the coat of arms of Mgr Giustiniani, and the altarpiece from the Church of the Dead in Lucca, another gift from Princess Elisa Bacchiochi. The Cavaille-Coll organ, donated by King Louis Philippe in 1847, adds to the cathedral’s grandeur.