View of Saint-Florent and the Citadel

Saint-Florent dates back to a small settlement that once arose in the protection area of the Genoese round fortress. The citadel was built by the Genoese in 1440 and served as the seat of the Bishop of Nebbio and the governor's palace until the 18th century. The small Pianese church from the 12th century, Santa Maria Assunta, was built as a cathedral for the then diocese of Nebbio.

Saint-Florent (Corsican: San Fiurenzu; Italian: San Fiorenzo) is a French commune and the capital of the Nebbio region on the Mediterranean island of Corsica with 1,689 inhabitants.

Although malaria raged devastatingly, the town was fiercely fought over by the French, Genoese and Corsicans in the 16th century. However, little remains of the fortress built in 1439, apart from the round keep. The fortress itself was demolished in the 17th century when Genoa's rule seemed secure and Saint-Florent no longer had any strategic importance. The town experienced a new growth spurt after Napoleon III ordered the draining of the swamps, thus eradicating the cause of malaria.