In the fourteenth century the Genoese built the fort of Matra, whose mission was to house the cavalry guardeding the passage to Corte. This fort has had a tumultuous history. It was a nest where revolts were hatched, and hosted the only king of Corsica prior to the Matra family. Following its classification as a historic monument the fort became a museum, named after the Corsican archaeologist who excavated the site of Aleria, Jerome Carcopino.