En un regard
Le château en bref
The citadel of Calvi, a Genoese fortress perched on a rocky promontory overlooking the bay, bears the inscription 'Civitas Calvi Semper Fidelis', bestowed by the Republic of Genoa in tribute to five centuries of loyalty from its inhabitants. Its oldest building, the former Governors' Palace (now the Sampiero barracks), dates from 1496; the cathedral of Saint-Jean-Baptiste, founded in the 13th century, was rebuilt in 1570, while the oratory of Saint-Antoine (late 15th century) and the former bishop's palace (16th century) complete the ensemble. Today a major cultural and tourist site, the citadel offers audio guides and treasure hunts for children, hosts concerts of polyphonic singing and performances in its cathedral, seasonal art exhibitions (June–September), an open-air theatre set against the ramparts, as well as the former episcopal residence converted into a piano bar.