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Ajaccio (Municipality, Corse-du-Sud, France)

by Ivan Sache

Presentation of the city
Description of the flag

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Presentation of the city

Ajaccio is the administrative capital of the Corsican Region and prefecture of the departement Corse-du-Sud, The city (59,300 inhabitants in 1994) is located in the South-West part of the island, within one of the most scenic gulfs of Mediterranean see. The mythic founder of the city was the Greek heroe Ajax, but the most probable etymology for the city name refers to the ancient Greek word agation (the good port.).
The city became really important only in 1492, when the citadel was built. In 1553, Ajaccio welcomed the independentist Corsican troops of Sampiero, and Genoa, the ruler of the island, understanding the strategic importance of the city, built additional fortifications in 1562.

The reputation of the city is of course due to Napoléon Bonaparte, who was born there on 15 August 1769, short after the battle of Ponte Nuovo which achieved the French annexion of the island. Formerly supporters of the patriot Paoli, the Bonaparte betrayed the cause of the Corsican independence and joined the pro-French party. The family experienced serious troubles with the local population, and in 1794, Napoléon's mother had to leave the island with her family in a hurry. The 'casa Bonaparte' was looted and burned by Paoli's supporters.
In 1797 only, Mrs. Bonaparte came back to Ajaccio and arranged the familial house as it can be visited today as the Bonaparte Museum.
In 1811, Napoléon established Ajaccio as the unique administrative capital of the departement of Corsica.

The city has now only an administrative importance. Here is the siege of the Corsican Territorial Assembly (created in 1991).

Source: Encyclopaedia Universalis, CD-ROM Edition, 1998

Ivan Sache, 10 September 1999

Description of the flag

The flag is based on the arms of the city.

Pascal Vagnat, 10 September 1999