Corte is at the very heart of Corsica, both geographically and politically, as it was the capital of an independent Corsica during its brief existence as a sovereign nation (1755-1769). The town retains its air of grandeur from those days, with the National Palace and an impressive 15th-century church as the centrepieces.

The tower is a unique example of a fortified tower that dates back to 1533 when Hyeronimus Saracenis concluded an agreement with Ivan, a stone-mason from Hvar, to begin construction. The initials H S, which stand for Hieronymus Saracenis, are inscribed on the coat of arms that is displayed on the eastern wall. The tower frequently changed ownership and at one time in the 17th century it was in the possession of the Fondra noble family from Šibenik that used the tower as their place of residence.

Built in 1754, the same year as the Roman Catholic cathedral that it faces across the square, this immense building stands as a reminder that this city lies on the Serbian frontier, with a large Serb population calling the city home and many cultural ties across the border.