Corte (, ; ; ; , ) is a commune in the Haute-Corse department, on the island of Corsica, France.

It is the fifth-largest commune in Corsica after Ajaccio, Bastia, Porto-Vecchio and Borgo.

Administration

Corte is a subprefecture of the Haute-Corse department.

History

Corte was the capital of the Corsican independent state during the period of Pasquale Paoli.

During World War I, German prisoners of war were kept in the Citadel.

Population

Sights

Sites of interest include the Fortress (A citadella), the Museum of Corsica (Museu di a Corsica), and the University of Corsica (Università di Corsica).

  • Pieve Santa Mariona di Tàlcini, a ruined medieval pieve (church)

Transport

National roads lead to Ajaccio and Bastia.

Corte is also linked to Ajaccio, Bastia and Calvi by the Chemin de fer de la Corse (Corsican Railway), and is served by trains running between Ajaccio and Calvi, and Ajaccio and Bastia.

Climate

Corte has a hot-summer mediterranean climate (Köppen climate classification: Csa), sometimes presenting alpine conditions during the winter, with 52 summer days and 56 frost days.

Education

Corte has become a major university town in Corsica since the Pasquale Paoli University opened up again in 1980s.

Notable people

Corte was the birthplace of Joseph Bonaparte (1768–1844), the eldest brother of the French Emperor Napoleon I, who made him King of Naples (1806–1808) and Spain (1808–1813).

Corte was also the birthplace of Theophilus of Corte (1676 - 1740), an Italian Roman Catholic priest and a professed member from the Order of Friars Minor.

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File:Overview - Corte, Corsica.jpg|Panorama

File:Corte, Corsica (8132723589).jpg|Citadel

File:Church - Corte, Corsica.jpg|Church

File:Corte citadelle.jpg|La Citadelle

File:Corte statue de Gaffori.jpg|Place Gaffori, with the statue of General Ghjuvan Petru Gaffori in front of his former home

File:Corte fontaine.jpg|Fountain at the beginning of the boardwalk called Rampe Sainte Croix from the Cours Paoli to the Chapel of Sainte Croix

File:Corte maison n°1 Place du Poilu.jpg|House of birth of Joseph Bonaparte (1768)

File:Corte panorama.jpg|Corte Panorama created from three images recorded at the bridge over the Restonica, pont vieux

</gallery>

See also

  • Communes of the Haute-Corse department

References

  • Official website
  • Tourist office website
  • University of Corsica