History & Civilisation
Porto Vecchio has been a human habitat since the Bronze Age. The Romans had a settlement in the area as well, but it was abandoned due to problems with malaria.
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The prehistoric site of Torre, which has given its name to the Torreen Culture, can be found to the north of the commune. Dated to the Corsican Bronze Age, it features circular or semi-circular citadels of stone.
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In the direction of Figari, the hamlet of Ceccia also has prehistoric remains, and not far away is another Torréen site, Castellu de Tappa. Castellu d’Araghju is at 45 m, just above the village of Araggio. It has a circuit wall 2 m thick and 4 m high.
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Porto-Vecchio is placed in a region that in earlier times was marshy and suffered greatly from malaria. The name means "Old Port", which may refer to the Roman port that left traces in the vicinity. Subsequently the region was more or less abandoned because of the malarial marshes but became part of a large Christian parish. The city was re-founded in 1539 by the Bank of Saint George at Genoa on a 70 m hill overlooking the gulf.
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The Genoese were careful to preserve the Roman port within the walls, which are trapezoidal and enclose the main square near the church. The Genoese intended a replacement of the population, but malaria soon assassinated most of the Genoese settlers. Another colony in 1546 suffered the same fate and subsequently the colony became a conurbation instead.
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Some of the population began to return with the drainage projects instituted under the Second Empire but they were minimally successful. World War II brought the presence of allies who were determined to eradicate malaria for the health of all concerned, but especially the soldiers and airmen. Through drainage, filling and spraying they succeeded, making the region newly attractive. The current population derives from an expansion that started about 1950.