Walks in Corsica

Brimming with history, the earliest evidence of NEOLITHIC human inhabitation of the island comes in the form of DAME DE BONIFACIO human remains dating back to 6570 BC. Corsica is also home to many standing stones and dolmens, traces of the TORRÉENS, a Bronze age warrior people who lived here around 2000 BC. Sites you can visit include CAURIA near SARTENE and FILITOSA in the VALINCO.

Corsica has also preserved the memories of the many nations who conquered the island – a saga that includes the GREEKS, ROMANS, VANDALS, GOTHS, MOORS AND GENOESE & PAPAL armies. According to HERODOTUS, the PHOENECIANS were the first to colonize Corsica, and the GREEKS established ALALIA ALERIA in 566 BC.  Then came the ETRUSCANS and CARTHAGINIANS who influenced the island until the ROMAN occupations. ALERIA was a military centre for the ROMAN EMPIRE and part of a larger region including SARDINIA. The ROMANS planted vines, exported olive oil, honey and cork.

Moyenne Age

During the early MIDDLE AGES, Corsica was the prize in rivalries between the PAPACY, PISA and GENOA. When the Genoese finally took over Corsica in 1284, five centuries of occupation followed. 

The first of the Corsican patriots came in 1553, in the shape of SAMPIERO CORSU, a Corsican Mercenary Colonel who led a French and Ottoman military expedition to take control of the island. Corsica was strategic in the Mediterranean and the GENOESE were firm allies of FRANCE’s enemy SPAIN. SAMPIERU managed to summon a local revolt and took the towns of AJACCIO, CALVI, BASTIA and CORTE but he was stopped in his tracks when through the peace Treaty of Cateau Cambresis, Corsica was simply handed back to the Genoese in 1559. It was following his invasion that the Genoese fortified Corsica with many towers to defend from marauding invaders.

U Babbu

In 1755, PASQUALE PAOLI, another Corsican patriot, proclaimed independence from the Genoese.  Paoli gave Corsica a democratic constitution, which later went on as a blueprint for the American Constitution. He also founded the island’s University. The Corsican’s refer to him U BABBU DI A PATRIA – the Father of the people. Despite the independence, the exhausted, and by then ruined Genoese who were still present in pockets on the island, handed CORSICA to FRANCE in 1768 with the Treaty of Versailles. After the French army arrived, Paoli wanted to protect Corsica’s independence and his army fought the French in 1769, at the Battle of PONTE NUEVO, the battle was won by the French army, Independence was over and Paoli fled to London. The French Revolution further aggravated the opposition between clans and in this turmoil, Paoli returned to Corsica. Paoli appealed to the English for help in his struggle, and the English occupied the island from 1794 until 1796 under the crown of George III, the English left and again FRANCE yet again took control of Corsica.

L’empereur

NAPOLEON BONAPARTE, is perhaps the most famous Corsican, born in AJACCIO on August 15^th 1769. Napoleon became First Consul of the French republic in 1797, the island was though neglected by the French state, and when Napoleon was exiled to ELBA, Ajaccio is said to have “rejoiced”. 

20eme siecle

Corsicans fought and died in the FIRST WORLD WAR, there was a fall in agriculture and a mass exodus of the population, resulting in recession in Corsica’s economy.

In the SECOND WORLD WAR, following the allied defeat of 1940, Corsica was under control of VICHY FRANCE as part of the FRENCH FREE ZONE. Corsica was massively occupied from November 1942 following the North African offensive by the allied forces, initially by 85000 Italian and then 12000 German troops during their retreat. There was strong resistance fighting of the local MAQUIS forces, and in October 1943, following the destitution of MUSSOLINI and the armistice of ITALY, the island was liberated following fierce fighting, becoming a military hub for Southern France and home to a number of US Air Bases, becoming known as USS CORSICA.

Post-war tensions have seen the continued and growing struggle for autonomy. Following Algerian Independance, thousands of pieds–noir – people of French ancestry who had lived in North Africa for generations – were moved to France, with around 18,000 bei ng settled in Corsica, making up for 10% of the population at the time. This action stoked anger as these newcomers were supported financially, and given priority over the locals. At ALERIA, in August 1975, a group of armed men occupied a vineyard owned by a pied-noir who was involved in a financial scandal and questionable wine production techniques, tarnishing the image of Corsica’s wine production at the time. The FRENCH Government sent in a muscled response (1200 men) to free the winegrower, resulting in two dead gendarmes, and a number of others injured. This and the events that followed lead to the creation of the Nationalist movement and the FLNC was born. 

Corsican patriotism is set in a deep passion for the island, attempts by outsiders to make a “fast buck” are resented and have seen incidents in the past including destruction of property.  When you arrive you will be instantly aware of the differences between the island and mainland FRANCE. Corsicans are a people rich in traditions, proud, hospitable and generous and away from the coast you will find a way of life authentically Corsican.

The Moor’s Head 

You will notice this symbol across the island. The MOOR’S HEAD symbol dates to the 13th century, when the ARAGONESE were given rights over CORSICA by the Pope after their victory over the SARACENS. They portrayed their acquisition by the MOOR’S HEAD. It was, however, forgotten in CORSICA during the subsequent GENOESE occupation when the VIRGIN MARY (the patron Saint of Corsica) was used to symbolise CORSICA.  In the 18th century the German adventurer, THÉODORE VON NEUHOFF (who became king of Corsica for 6 months in 1736) chose the forgotten MOOR’S HEAD as the National flag. Twenty years later it was re-established as the official Corsican flag by the great Corsican patriot: PASCAL PAOLI. He insisted that the bandana was moved from its original position covering the eyes (to the forehead) in order to symbolize the liberation of CORSICA.  It has since become the Corsican emblem and can be seen on flags throughout the island. Any locally produced goods; official buildings; Corsican owned boats; properties and aircraft carry this symbol. All Corsican political parties (whatever the strength of their Nationalist tendencies) also use this emblem, but it is generally a simple statement of pride in their country.