Corsica/Tuscany Day 8

Day 8:  Bastia
Yesterday there was a huge storm that effected southern France (including Nice) that included large amounts of rain and flooding (killing 11 people).  It is now lying over the island of Corsica, right on top of us.  We tied up this morning in the main port city of Bastia on the northwest coast of Corsica to ride out the storm.  Our bikes stayed on the ship all day.
Bastia is the 2nd largest city in Corsica, and the most active port.  The Genoese built a citadel here in the 1300's to guard against invaders.  It remained in Genoa hands until the French took Corsica in 1769.
Bastia was also important during WWII.  The resistance movement started here and this was instrumental in Corsica becoming the 1st area of France that was liberated from the Nazis in 1943. Because of the early liberation, the Allies were able to build several airfields here and utilize these to launch air attacks against the Nazi's in both Italy and France that helped in the eventual collapse of both the Italian Fascists and the Nazis.
Since riding was out today, many of us went into Bastia to see the town in the morning.  Even with rain gear, though, we were shortly drenched.  Fortunately, the temperatures were pretty moderate, and until late in our walk, we were able to stay relatively comfortable.  The old part of the city, old port, and citadel are a warren of narrow streets and alleys that run every which way.  When we finally reached the far side of the citadel and decided we were wet enough, we got lost in the maze, and even with a map (which got soaked), had a hard time finding our way back to the ship.
After a warm shower, and dry clothes, we felt much better.  The afternoon was full of some great bike clinics by the chief mechanic, Leland, and our goat path savior, Wolfgang.  Learned a lot, probably just enough to get into some real trouble.
Since I had plenty of time today, I thought I'd give you a bit of info about Corsica, since most of us know very little about the island.

Corsica is an island in the Mediterranean Sea 110 miles southeast of the French mainland, 6.8 miles north of the Italian island of Sardinia across the Strait of Bonafacio, and 56 miles west of Tuscany in  Italy. It is 114 mi long at longest, 52 mi wide at widest, has 620 mi of coastline, more than 200 beaches, and is very mountainous (Jeri and I can attest to that!!). 

 It is now part of France, but has a long history of being ruled by others including the Carthiginians, Greeks, Etruscans, and Romans.

In 1284, the Genoese took over Corsica after defeating the Pisans (who at that time occupied Corsica), but this rule was challenged off and on over the next 450 years.  In 1729, there was a revolt against the Genoese Pasquali Paoli, and in 1755 the Corsican Republic was proclaimed.  The Corsicans were unable to remove the Genoese from the fortified cities of Calvi and Bonaficio but continued to fight the Genoese for 40 years. Finally, in 1768, the Genoese, worn down from all these years of fighting, decided to sell Corsica to the French.  A year later,in 1769, in the Corsican capital of Ajaccio, Napolon Bonaparte was born.

The resistance continued for a while, but was finally crushed by the overwhelming French forces.  For the next 100 years, Corsica was back and forth between French and British influence. By the end of the 19^thCentury, Corsica was firmly in French hands. 

During WWII Vichy France ruled Corsica and allowed Nazi occupation in 1942.  Free French and resistance forces forced the Nazis out in 1943 and shortly after, US military built 14 airfields across the island.  The island was secretly nicknamed the unsinkable aircraft carrier, “USS Corsica”.