Sites of Corsica Trivia Quiz

Answer: Napoleon was born there

Napoleon was born in the famous Maison Bonaparte in 1769. The house had been in the Bonaparte family since 1682 and the family lived there on and off for centuries, often fleeing during times of armed conflict when the house would be sieged, looted and destroyed.

The Bonapartes owned the house continuously (except for a brief period when it was owned by Napoleon's wet nurse) until the early 20th century when a descendant of Napoleon donated the house to the government as a museum, which it remains today.

Answer: Miniatures

The Naporama is a museum that houses thousands of miniatures depicting events in the life of Napoleon in fifteen elaborate dioramas. The displays are very detailed and intricate and resemble elaborate children's playsets.

Answer: Austrian Empire

The Battle of Austerlitz was fought on December 2, 1805 and led to the fall of the Holy Roman Empire. Napoleon led French forces against an alliance of Austrian and Russian troops. Ajaccio's Place d'Austerlitz is one of many monuments commemorating Napoleon's victory. A statue of Napoleon stands atop a white, stepped pyramid.

Answer: Saint John

The name of the church is the Church of the Holy Trinity and Saint John. Like many churches in the area, it is located in the middle of a cemetery and seemingly depicts images of other saints' lives. Most notably, there is art of Saint Michael slaying a dragon as well as icons of other animals that are not known to have anything to do with Saint John.

Answer: Paratroopers

Camp Raffalli serves as the training center for paratroopers of the French Foreign Legion. It is not an uncommon site to witness parachuters descending from the sky while traveling through Calvi and the surrounding areas. Camp Raffalli is named for Remy Raffalli, a paratrooper for the French Foreign Legion who was killed in battle during the First Indo-China War.

Answer: Menhirs

Filitosa is an archaeological site in Southern Corsica that is home to a series of standing stones called menhirs and other artifacts that date back to the Bronze Age. The area was discovered in 1946 when a farmer found arrowheads in his fields. Many of the stones seem to be carved to look like warriors in armor.

Answer: Genoa

Genoa built a number of towers along the coasts of Corsica, of which 67 remain standing. The towers built to defend the island from Barbary Pirated beginning in the mid-16th century when Corsica was still owned by Genoa. The towers proved to be effective even after the fall of Barbary pirates as they as prevented the British from invading the island during the French Revolution.

Answer: West

Plage du Ricanto is Ajaccio's, located on the west coast, most famous beach. Although Corsica is lined with beaches around its coast, some the island's most popular are located just a few miles from large cities like Ajaccio. Corsica is known for its beach activities including sailing, surfing and volleyball.

Answer: Market

Place Foch is home to yet another statue of Napoleon (called Monument to the First Consul) but it is perhaps better known for its market that appears each morning. The market is known for its fresh food, especially the bread and cheeses.

Answer: Letizia Bonaparte

Letizia Bonaparte was Napoleon's mother who, according to legend, went into labor with Napoleon while attending Ajaccio Cathedral. She was rushed to Maison Bonaparte where she gave birth. Ajaccio Cathedral is the resting place of several prominent members of the Bonaparte family and Napoleon is said to have wished to be buried there.

However, he is actually interred at Les Invalides in Paris.