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Corsica

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Beautiful Mediterranean Island

Corsica is an island in the southeast of France and politically it is part of the country, since it was taken over in the 18th century. Nevertheless, the island is located closer to Italy and its own traditional language, Corsican, which is spoken by 65% of the population as their native tongue, resembles more the Italian.

Corsicans do not consider them selves neither French or Italian, though. They are just what they are: Corsicans - and they call for autonomy or even full independence from France.

Whatever the history and affiliations of the people inhabiting it, Corsica, with its magical landscapes, majestuous relics of the past and innumerable spots of common, everyday beauty, is a piece of Heaven on Earth.

Photo: Erbalunga, Corsica
By Olivier Letourneux, in Flickr.

Corsican Fortress

Up On The Mountains



Nido d' Aquilla, Corte, Corsica
Photo by Roby Ferrari, in Flickr.

This is actually the photo that prompted this online journey to Corsica. I was browsing the 'net, searching for photos for my articles, when this one surfaced the ocean of virtual data to wish me a Good Morning. I found the place enchanting - and I just followed along this Corsican Rabbit that sprang out of the hat.

Spectacular landscapes, sweet musical harmonies, a penchant to political independance, a hilarious 'Asterix in Corsica' comic book from my childhood - that was all I knew about this unique island. A more profound investigation was due.

So, here's what this treasure hunt brought us...

La Corse

Magical Landscapes

A rock thrown in the Mediterranean waves, turns into an island.
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Corsica

The Island of Beauty

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Villages and Beaches of Corsica

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Discover A Beautiful Mediterranean Island

Corsica Tourist Guides, Corsica DVDs, Corsica for Hikers

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Famous Corsicans #1

Not the one you thought about...

Tino Rossi, a famous Corsican from Ajaccio, thrived in the '30s to '50s as a light singer, movie actor and great romantic idol of the epoch. He was actually considered something like a Corsican Rudolph Valentino.

I have to check this one, but I thought Corsicans were not fond of French tutelage. Tino made a career in France, ain't that right? According to the above articles, his great career wasn't injured during the German occupation of France in WWII. Tino was a big star and, if we were to believe the information, probably a collaborator.

Half of the song is in the Corsican language, an idiom deriving from both the French and the Italian languages and acquiring its own peculiarities over time. The second half is sung in French.
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Canta u Populu Corsu - L'odore di i nostri mesi

I think it means 'the smell of our months'

Ottobre sente e castagne
The month of October is the month for chestnut gathering. And Corsicans love their chestnut trees.

Corsica is wooded and overgrown with all kinds of plants.
The song mentions some of Corsica's characteristic flora.
'L'aranciu' in December, 'la ghjinestra' in May, the 'filetta' in August -- God, I need a dictionary!
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Corsican Language Deciphered

corsica, language'L'aranciu' in December - it's the Orange
A 'filetta' in August - that's a Fern
'La ghjinestra' in May is the Spiny Broom.

See, I don't speak Corsican -- but a well-chosen dictionary can really help!

How To Communicate In Corsica

In Corsican, of course! French is OK too

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Italian Musical Legacy

Corsican Polyphonies

Imagine going out for the night in Corsica. You're sitting at a cosy bar or restaurant, then three guys with a guitar start singing...
This...
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How About A Trip To Corsica?

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  • Reply
    WaynesWorld Dec 6, 2011 @ 9:19 pm | delete
    Cool beans!
  • Reply
    match99 Nov 3, 2011 @ 10:15 pm | delete
    I wanna go
  • Reply
    whoisbid Sep 7, 2011 @ 5:14 pm | delete
    Lets all go there shall we?
  • Reply
    prosperity66 Jul 3, 2011 @ 5:26 am | delete
    Ah, Corsica Bella! I'd love to have a trip to Corsica and stay on there for a while; it's a marvelous island! Though having been Italian for many centuries and French for two or three (I think), Corsicans are great and very interesting people.

    I understand their will for freedom very well - I don't like colonisation. Another thing I agree with them is that with all those celebrities that build villas in Corsica, they ruin the landscape and are responsible for real estate increasing prices and I understand that Corsicans aren't OK for that kind of invasion.

    When I worked in a travel company (Wagons-Lits), Corsica was one of my attributed accounting countries and it was delightful to dream while recording the SNCM ferry tickets to Ajaccio, Calvi or Bastia.

    Another thing that deeply touches my heart are those Corsican polyphonic bands! I just love them as much as I love those Gregorian songs.

    Oh and since you're mastering French so well, I suggest to rent "L'enquête corse" with Christian Clavier and Jean Reno. It's a fantastic comedy filmed in Corsica. You won't just have a good time laughing out of loud, but also be delighted seeing all those amazing landscapes.

    One day, I'll take my car to Nice and a ferry ticket to Corsica... homeland of Tino Rossi.

    Loved this page and the videos! It had some taste of vacations... thanks for this.

    By the way, this page has been blessed by the summer fun angel on Squidoo.
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by

Helenee

Corsica is called a Pearl of the Mediterranean - and it is!
Spectacular mountains and deep valleys, picturesque villages, lovely beaches, all manage... more »

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