Citadel of Bonifacio, Medieval citadel in Bonifacio, France.

The Citadel of Bonifacio is a medieval fortress built on limestone cliffs at the southern tip of Corsica, overlooking the narrow strait toward Sardinia. It consists of defensive walls, towers, a keep, and a dense network of lanes running between old stone houses.

Bonifacio takes its name from Bonifacio, count of Lucca, who had a castrum built at the end of the plateau in 830 in the pope's name. The first fortifications were the work of Pisa; Genoa seized the town in 1187, lost it to Pisa in 1195 and soon retook it, replacing the Corsican inhabitants with Genoese settlers. Bonifacio was the first presidio the Genoese held in Corsica, from the late 12th century.

The old town streets follow a layout that still reflects the Genoese presence in Bonifacio. Small shops, stone houses, and churches stand close together, giving the district a character that feels different from other Corsican towns.

The site sits in the upper part of Bonifacio and is reached on foot through steep lanes. On hot days, coming early in the morning or late in the afternoon makes the walk more manageable, as shade is limited.

Bonifacio is the first presidio the Genoese established in Corsica, at the end of the 12th century: a fortified settlement whose inhabitants were charged with defending the town, unlike a citadel, which has a purely military role. The Genoese took the town in 1187 under Falcone Castello, and after retaking it they expelled the Corsican population and replaced it with Genoese settlers.