The villages of Balagne ... Algajola

Because of its 75.5 ha the village was considered, before 1852, as the smallest municipality in Corsica, but, enlarged, (173 ha today), it lost this "title".

Particularly dynamic in the 18th century, this port was in the time of the Genoese the residence of the lieutenant in charge of Balagne. It has evolved and become a pioneer resort in terms of tourism.

Built on the site of an ancient Phoenician city, it was taken and sacked by the Ottomans in 1643. Genoa had it fortified in 1664. Its castle was the residence of the Governor of Balagne for Genoa until 1764. To the west , the small port of San Damiano was once a Roman port sheltered from frequent and strong gales from north to west. It will be abandoned after their departure in the 6th century until the 12th century, when a defense tower was built. Consequently, commercial and fishing activities resume. In 1620 the port became the second port of the island! Today Algajola has a small fishing port without fishermen all year round.


Its beach, well known to surfers, invites you to enjoy surfing.

Sights...
The Algajola monolith: From the main road, you can still see this remarkable monolithic porphyry column, weighing over 270 tonnes, which was abandoned in 1837. It was intended as a base for a monumental statue of Napoleon the First that was never erected. The base of the Vendôme column in Paris is made from porphyry from Algajola.

"U Castellu", the fortified castle of Algajola: It was built in the 16th century, on the ruins of the tower of the noble Lomellini family of Genoa and was the residence of the governor of Balagne for Genoa until 1764. Now a private property, it has been a listed Historical Monument since 1992.

The Citadel: For a long time, Algajola was a Genoan outpost before Calvi. Nowadays, the small fortress is kept in a good state of repair and its prominent watch tower bestows it with a beautiful silhouette.