Statue of Napoleon I of France, Bastia

The Statue of Napoleon I is a bronze sculpture positioned in the center of Place Saint-Nicolas, depicting the ruler in classical Roman dress. It shows him with a laurel crown, scepter in his left hand, and a scroll in his right hand, with all details finely executed in the neoclassical style.

The sculpture was commissioned in 1813 by Elisa Bonaparte, Napoleon's sister, for Livorno in Italy, but the artist Bartolini kept it in his workshop for many years. It finally arrived in Bastia in 1853, where it has remained on Place Saint-Nicolas ever since.

The statue depicts Napoleon using Roman imperial imagery, reflecting how 19th-century artists portrayed power through ancient forms. This neoclassical language with laurel crown and scepter was common across Europe and shaped public monuments in cities throughout the continent.

The monument sits in the center of the square and is easy to reach on foot from the harbor. The open plaza provides good views of the statue from all angles, especially during daylight hours.

The pedestal displays the coat of arms of Bastia on three sides and features Latin inscriptions that add weight to the monument. These details are often overlooked by visitors, though they reveal much about the statue's local importance to the city.

Location: Bastia

Address: place Saint-Nicolas

GPS coordinates: 42.69982,9.45094

Latest update: December 9, 2025 20:24