Torra di Nonza, Genoese defensive tower in Nonza, France
Torra di Nonza is a cylindrical stone tower standing 155 meters above sea level on the western coast of Cap Corse, overlooking the Mediterranean. The structure has thick walls and was positioned so attackers could be spotted from all directions.
The tower was built as part of a network of coastal fortifications between 1530 and 1620 to protect against Barbary pirates. Genoese records mention it from 1617 onward, while its control during the 1768 French invasion proved significant for the island's fate.
The tower shows the building style that Genoese engineers brought to Corsica's coast, and you can see how it shaped the landscape. Its position and design reveal how much this coastal spot mattered for defense.
The tower is reachable by following paths through Nonza village and offers views across the coast and surrounding mountains. The walk to reach it requires some sure-footedness, as the trail becomes steep and rocky in places.
The site became the scene of an unusual 1768 negotiation when a single commander deceived the French by pretending to command a large garrison. This tactic allowed surrender on honorable terms for those defending it.
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