Aldilonda
Creation of a walkway for pedestrians, disabled people, and cyclists circumventing the citadel and highlighting the site.
The Aldilonda’s promenade around Bastia’s fortress consists of a walkway for pedestrians, disabled people, and cyclists circumventing the citadel. The creation of this scenic urban place enhances the site.
Unfolding like a suspended balcony over the water, the Aldidonda reminds us that Bastia belongs to the sea.
Unfortunately, the tunnel construction from last century had removed the strong link between the city and its seafront. Today’s Aldilonda however, while connecting the city’s north and south parts, reunited once more Bastia to its coast.
Below the Citadel and its ramparts listed as Historical Monuments, the pathway embraces the meandering of the coast, follows its contours and allows the pedestrians a direct contact with the rocky cliff.
Moreover, by slotting elegantly into the site and by enhancing this reunion, it becomes the project’s main asset: in the sense that the walkway does not create a new place but rather makes those already there accessible to everyone.
Indeed, this wavy promenade along the maritime coast gives access to the rocky terraces which become in turn places of leisure and relaxation for swimmers and fishermen.
The promenade offers as well a sea view of the Citadel, as it winds around the Dragon north pier. It aims to preserve the rocky outcrop on the Ficaghjola cove’s south side, since it acknowledges the saying of the city’s residents that "jumping from the ramparts" is Bastia’s identity.
And in order to protect this benefit and to ensure the full connection to the Citadel through the rocks, the promenade continues through a short gallery lit by a sculpted light well.
The program required that the intervention takes place above sea level without any vertical support in the water, consequently the Aldidonda hooked up to the rocks.
