When Homer wrote in The Odyssey «.« We entered this harbour, which is well known to sailors: a sheer, unbroken double cliff rises up all around, and two elongated headlands, facing each other at the front of the entrance, choke the mouth of the harbour.. The port of Bonifacio is clearly visible. As you read on, you'll find information showing that the island is highly structured and developed between the sea and the mountains. Is this information accurate?
Be that as it may, the archaeological finds revealing the skeleton of La Dame de Bonifacio demonstrate that the site has been inhabited since prehistoric times, with the skeleton dated between 6500 and 7000 BC.
Throughout history, Bonifacio's strategic location in the Mediterranean has made it a much-coveted trading port. It has been at the heart of many warring conflicts (including the one between Pisa and Genoa), but the most terrible battle was the one fought against the plague in 1528, which killed more than 4,300 people in Bonifacio, which had a population of 5,000.
Bonifacio's commercial port has developed over the centuries as a hub for economic, cultural and tourist exchanges.
Today, it operates ferries with daily connections to nearby Sardinia, and welcomes cruise ships to the heart of the cliffs in a modern port perfectly integrated into its environment.
Refurbishment work on the second berth, which will be back in service in July 2022 after 10 years of closure, will enable ferries and cruise boats to be accommodated to a high standard of safety and comfort.