Saint-Florent, Haute-Corse

Saint-Florent
San Fiurenzu

Citadel

Coat of arms
Saint-Florent

Coordinates: 42°40′54″N 9°18′11″E / 42.6817°N 9.3031°E / 42.6817; 9.3031Coordinates: 42°40′54″N 9°18′11″E / 42.6817°N 9.3031°E / 42.6817; 9.3031
Country France
Region Corsica
Department Haute-Corse
Arrondissement Calvi
Canton La Conca-d'Oro
Government
 • Mayor (2008–2014) Claudy Olmeta
Area1 17.98 km2 (6.94 sq mi)
Population (2008)2 1,636
 • Density 91/km2 (240/sq mi)
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
INSEE/Postal code 2B298 / 20217
Elevation 0–356 m (0–1,168 ft)
(avg. 10 m or 33 ft)

1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

2 Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once.

Saint-Florent (Corsican: San Fiurenzu) is a commune in Haute-Corse department of France on the island of Corsica. Originally a fishing port located in the gulf of the same name, nowadays pleasure boats have largely taken the place of fishing vessels.

Today, it is a popular summer vacation spot for many tourists because of its proximity to the Patrimonio vineyards and the Saleccia beach.

History

Saint-Florent was created by the Genoese in the 16th century as a base to carry out repressive operations against the Corsican patriots in the surrounding villages. France later used it to disembark hordes of mercenaries and colonists during August 1764 in order to subject the independent Corsican people. After the defeat at Ponte Novu Bridge, the army of Pasquale Paoli, sometimes called "the Father of Corsica", helped by the fleet of Horatio Nelson, reconquered Saint-Florent in 1794 during the brief Anglo-Corsican rule.

Population

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1774350—    
1911720+105.7%
1962611−15.1%
1968805+31.8%
19751,065+32.3%
YearPop.±%
19821,217+14.3%
19901,350+10.9%
19991,474+9.2%
20081,636+11.0%

Climate

Saint-Florent has a typically Mediterranean climate - mild winters with temperatures rarely dropping below zero give way to long, warm, dry summers with temperatures peaking at around 35 °C (95 °F) in July and August.

Sights

Saint-Florent Cathedral

The monuments of Saint-Florent are the Genoese citadel constructed in 1440 at the same time as the city, and the Romanesque Saint-Florent Cathedral, or the cathedral of the Nebbio, now the church of Santa Maria Assunta.

Near the village are the Genoese towers Torra di San Fiurenzu, Torra di Mortella, and Torra di Fornali.

See also

References

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