In February , the A Bandera association was formed, an organisation with the mission to promote interest in the military history of Corsica. And this goal was to be achieved through a periodical, through conferences and through a museum with one permanent and occasional temporary exhibitions.
This museum has been in being since and as such it is a fascinating introduction to the discovery of the soul and culture of Corsica. The museum itself presents a complete retrospective of ten thousand years of struggle against, and exchange with, conquerors and traders from Europe and the whole of the Mediterranean.
Beginning with detailed explanatory boards, a variety of documents, arms, uniforms, costumes, figurines and dioramas, the museum traces the tumultuous history of the islands and its inhabitants. The first room is dedicated to Prehistory, Antiquity and the Middle Ages. The 18th century is the subject of the third room. The fourth room is dedicated entirely to the history of the First and Second Empires. Of particular note is a board dedicated entirely to general Morand, the hated commander-in-chief of Corsica between and The First Empire is only superficially dealt with, perhaps because of the lack of space which would not allow the complete collection of uniforms to be put on show.
There is more on the Second Empire, with many extracts from journals. Of particular note is his dress sword. Busts, engravings, articles from journals, zouave, gendarme and canteen uniforms complete the display. The last room follows the modern period, notably the experience of Corsica in the last two world wars. Since its creation, the museum has organised about fifty thematic exhibitions recounting such diverse matters as the barbarian invasions, the Bloody Islands up to the First World War, Bandits, the Army in Africa, Corsican Women, and of course Pascal Paoli and the Corsican state, the general Abbatuci, Napoleon in the Mediterranean and the Second Empire.
Information from the Ghisonaccia Tourist Office is open every day in summer, Monday to Saturday from 9am to Off season from Monday to Friday from 9am to The reception staff speaks English,. Go to menu Go to content Go to search. Share it twitter facebook. Print Return to top.
