Discover the perilous journeys that sailors made to these shores and see the ornate graves of the brave souls who did not survive when you visit Bonifacio’s Marine Cemetery. Learn the sea’s true significance to the town and enjoy the dramatic scenery as the sun sets over the Mediterranean Sea.
The Marine Cemetery is built on a small plateau near the site of the old convent of St. Francis. Look for evidence of an old military barracks here that was once home to the French Foreign Legion Parachute Regiment. Today hundreds of elaborate mausoleums and tombs fill the area in long rows that facing the setting sun. It is widely regarded as one of the most scenic cemeteries in the Mediterranean region.
Spend a while browsing the names and dates engraved onto the stones and imagine the lives the sailors buried here would have led.
From any point in the cemetery you can enjoy superb coastal views of clear blue waters and waves crashing against the cliffs. These are especially impressive at sunset on a clear day. Nearby look for the monument of the 14th-century Church of St. François while the giant citadel that stands high above the town is also visible.
The Marine Cemetery has no admission fee and is open all day. It is located a short uphill walk from Bonifacio town centre. The cemetery is also walking distance to many of the town’s most impressive cultural sites including the mighty citadel that houses the old town.
