Citadelle d'Ajaccio (Citadel of Ajaccio), Ajaccio

The Citadel of Ajaccio, also known as the Miollis Citadel, is a historic fortress in the heart of the city, originally constructed in 1492 by the Genoese to defend against maritime attacks. Built on a strategic coastal site, it initially consisted of a central keep and lower defensive walls. Over time, the fortifications were expanded, particularly in 1553 and 1559, when French forces and engineers strengthened the structure, giving it its hexagonal shape with six bastions.

As tensions between Genoa and Corsican rebels grew in the 18th century, France gradually took control of the island, officially acquiring it in 1768. The Citadel was further reinforced during the French rule, housing up to 800 soldiers and becoming a key military stronghold.

During the 19th century, the Citadel's role shifted from defense to military barracks, serving as a garrison rather than a battlefield fortification. In the First World War, it was used as a rallying point for Ajaccio’s soldiers before their deployment to the front. During World War II, it fell under Italian fascist occupation and became infamous as the place of detention of resistance fighter Fred Scamaroni, who was captured by Italian counter-espionage (OVRA) and chose to take his own life rather than betray his comrades.

Until 2020, the Citadel was occupied by the military, making it one of France’s last active coastal fortresses. Since its transfer to the Town of Ajaccio, it has been at the center of an urban redevelopment plan aimed at integrating it into the city’s cultural and historical landscape. The goal is to restore and open up the fortress, turning it into an accessible heritage site that reconnects the Citadel with the old Genoese town.