Calvi

The commune sits in a sheltered bay between steep cliffs and flat sandy beaches, extending from the harbor to the mountains inland. The fortress overlooks the port basin from a rocky outcrop and shapes the entire skyline from the waterfront.

In the 15th century, Genoese engineers built the first fortifications to defend the coastal position against raids by North African corsairs. Several sieges failed against the thick walls, turning the site into a lasting stronghold in the western Mediterranean.

The cathedral sacristy keeps a wooden statue from the 16th century that is carried through the narrow upper town lanes during Holy Week processions. Locals gather along the walls to watch this tradition that has shaped Easter celebrations for generations.

Access to the fortress follows cobblestone lanes that climb steeply in places and are not continuously accessible by wheelchair. During strong Mistral winds from the northwest, the area around the harbor can be especially windy, so visiting under calmer weather conditions is advisable.

Some residents believe that the navigator Christopher Columbus was born here, though this claim remains disputed and Genoa asserts the same origin. A commemorative plaque on a house wall recalls this local tradition, which visitors often pass without noticing.

Location: Haute-Corse

Location: arrondissement of Calvi

Elevation above the sea: 89 m

Shares border with: Montegrosso, Calenzana, Lumio

Address: Calvi, France

Phone: +33495658200

Email: sce-comm-calvi@orange.fr

Website: http://villedecalvi.fr

GPS coordinates: 42.56778,8.75667

Latest update: December 5, 2025 16:34