A Cupulatta (Turtle in Corsica) is a unique park in Europe of 2,5 ha where you can discover 170 species of terrestrial and aquatic turtles present on all the continents of the globe. The nursery with the baby turtles is particularly touching.
Vue du Casteddu Cucuruzzu CapulaFortification Cucuruzzu CapulaFortification Cucuruzzu CapulaRampart du Casteddu Cucuruzzu CapulaRampart du Casteddu Cucuruzzu Capula
If the human presence in Corsica is estimated at -10 000 before J-C and that one finds traces of proto-Corsican civilization towards -5 000 before J-C, the Casteddu of Cucuruzzu dates him from the age of old bronze (1 800 before J-C).
It is one of the biggest and imposing fortifications of Corsica, abandoned by its inhabitants in the IIIrd before our era. This fortress village (a casteddu) of about 450m2 even allows to imagine the places where the inhabitants exercised their activities of pottery, weaving, etc…
This magnificent walk through a real fairy tale forest with dreamlike rocks is to be done in family and will allow you to discover not only the site of Cucuruzzu but also the more recent Casteddu of Capula (a medieval site built in the 10th century).
Abris de berger CucuruzzuAbris de berger CucuruzzuMenhir armé CucuruzzuRocher en forme de Coeur CucuruzzuIntérieur du Casteddu Cucuruzzu
Do not hesitate to finish this discovery by visiting the museum of Alta Roca in Levie where the pieces discovered on this site are exposed.
Cratère attique à figures rougesCratère attique à colonnettes Kylix à figures rouges
The city of Aleria was founded by the Phoceans in 565 BC under the name of Alalia, then the Etruscans and the Cartagenes followed. In 259 BC, the Romans took the city and changed its name to Aleria.
For almost seven centuries, it was the heart of the Romanization of Corsica, serving as a strategic operational base for access to other important places on the coast and inland, as well as a place of exile for political opponents (Seneca, in order to keep him away from Rome, stayed there under the supervision of the governor of the island).
It was also a commercial port (the sea at that time was much closer than nowadays) for the shipment of ores, oil, cork, wool and wine to Rome.
Kylix à figures rougesCratère attique à figures rougesCasque de Bronze EtrusqueRhyton attique à tête de chien
It was Prospère Mérimée who located the site in 1840 and today the museum is housed in the Fort of Matra built by the Genoese in the 14th century.
Numerous objects resulting from several excavation campaigns are exposed there allowing the understanding not only of prehistoric and ancient Corsica, but also to know the civilizations of the Mediterranean basin.
Ile LavezziIle LavezziIle LavezziIle Lavezziîle Lavezzo
The Lavezzi islands are located in the nature reserve of the Bouches de Bonifacio, 10km southeast of the city. Only 3 islands are allowed to land on this archipelago composed of 23 islands in total.
On the island of Lavezzo, from which the archipelago takes its name, there is a lighthouse, an altar and two marine cemeteries where some of the dead from the terrible shipwreck of the Semillante are buried.
In fact, the frigate La Sémillante, which left Toulon on February 14, 1855, was caught in a violent storm near the mouth of Bonifacio.
It broke on a reef and sank during the night of February 15 to 16, causing the loss of all the crew and soldiers that it was carrying to the Crimea. Only 560 bodies out of 773 men were found on the coast and exhumed on the island.
île LavezziFalaise BonifacioPhare de LavezzoPhare Pertusato BonifacioSémaphore Petusato Bonifacio
The cannons of the Semillante are located in the upper town of Bonifacio near the marine cemetery.
Boat trips allow you to discover this island, as well as the cliffs of Bonifacio.
Falaise BonifacioBonifacioBonifacioGrotte de SdragonatoGrotte de Sdragonato
The Castellu d’Araghju is a prehistoric site built by the Torreans, a civilization present in Corsica in the second half of the 2nd century BC (Bronze Age). The access to this site is by a pedestrian path a little bit steep but very pleasant and the view of the Castellu on the gulf of Porto-Vecchio is magnificent. You can walk inside after having crossed the entrance of the fortress by passing under an impressive lintel.
In the 14th century, the Genoese decided to move the residence of the governors from the site of Biguglia, which was very exposed to external attacks, to a rocky promontory located above a fishing village (Portu Cardu) where they built a bastion and then surrounded it with a citadel. It then developed from this bastion
Blason ville de BastiaRue de Bastia Escalier Jardin RomieuImmeuble génois Vieux Port BastiaEntrée Citadelle BastiaEntrée Citadelle BastiaPalais des gouverneurs BastiaPlace Bastia
Today Bastia has many districts: U Mercà (the market), U Vecchju Portu (the old port), Monserattu, …
Eglise St JeanVieux PortPhares du Vieux PortVue de la vielle villePort de plaisance
A stroll through the citadel, the governor’s palace, the old port, the old market square, the old town, the Saint Nicolas square and its numerous churches (Saint Jean Batiste, the Immaculate Conception, Sainte Croix, etc…) is always a spectacle for the eyes and the taste buds.
Aldilonda BastiaCitadelle Bastia
Without forgetting the Aldilonda which will offer you a ballade under the citadel and above the sea.