4 Corsica— Bonifacio

Corsica— Bonifacio

Bonifacio is on the tippy-tip of southern Corsica. The Roman Empire of the 1st century started it all with small houses on the cliff and at the sea. Then, during the 9th century or so, it became a fortified town with a citadel built on the tippy-top of a cliff with a fabulous view of the Mediterranean. When it was built, there were raiders and marauders and other folks who were feuding with the royals and greeding after treasures (greeding—I made that word up). Apparently, from out at sea, Bonifacio looked like an imposing white city floating above the cliffs. It reminded me of pirates and hidden treasure. Ha!

Fabi and I climbed up the 187 steep steps to the citadel. Yes, we could have taken the cute little train but then, we would have missed the fantabulous view. (Another made up word.) 

We entered the fortress through the original door. We could see how huge wheels lowered the gate. That must have been something. Now there are ordinary large doors. 

Inside the fortress/old town, along the extremely narrow roads, there are the usual shops which, surprisingly(?), had exactly the same stuff as the shops at Porto Vecchio. We wandered into the church and I noticed that all of the churches in Corsica are very similar…white, with fancy murals, and a pulpit on the left side. Sometimes there appeared to be gold covering all the accoutrements.

Notice the laundry hanging from the window

Lovely flowers. Interesting name…

These little plaques were on the step at the threshold of a shop.

We wandered through the cemetery. Fabi told me the story of a legendary and controversial singer, Michel Sardou, who wanted to have his parents moved from a cemetery in Paris to the cemetery in Bonifacio. (Why?)  The mayor said “no.” They didn’t have enough space for the people who lived (and presumably) died there. Sardou offered him lots of of money and he still said no. Sardou was very unhappy and never returned to Bonifacio. I happen to have one of his albums. It was the first one I ever bought several years ago.

Past the cemetery, we came to ruins and then, views of the sea.

Near the cemetery, we found a very small, quiet, quaint cafe where we had beer and crêpes. 

As we were leaving, we decided to use the “facilities” before going home. We found the pay toilet that cleans itself. It was the one and only public toilet in Bonifacio!! Can you believe it?!?  Can you believe how many people were standing in line at that one toilet?!? We decided to just leave. Here’s the one toilet. Geez!!!

…and so it goes with Bonifacio