Chapter II: Part 2

3¾ m. from Galeria a mule-path ramifies from the road to the hamlets
of Tuarelli, Prunicciole and Chiorna. 3 m. farther is the
ramification, 4½ m. S., through the forest of Perticato by the Col
d'Erbajo, 2090 ft., 3½ m. S., and the Bocca Melza, 2500 ft., 4½ m. S.
From the Bocca Melza a very bad path leads 2 m. S. to the hamlet of
Pinito. At the beginning of the above ramification the main road
enters the Ilex forest of Treccio, and leaves it nearly 2 m.
afterwards.

8¾ m. from Galeria is a roadside inn, and 3¼ m. farther the entrance
into the Ilex forest of Ometa.

11¼ m. from Galeria and about 2 m. from the almost unknown valley of
the Lonca, an affluent of the Porto, is the Pont de Lancone, 1083
ft., across the Rocce. From this bridge there is a good view of Mt.
Tafonato, 7687 ft., to the N. E., with its singularly perforated
peak.

13¼ m. is the Grand Cassis d'Ometa, 1680 ft. A little farther the
road becomes a bridle-path, and ascends from 1677 ft. to the Maison
de Cantonniers d'Ometa, 2274 ft., and 1 m. farther is the end of the
forest of Ometa.

15 m. from Galeria is the Grand Cassis de Giargione, 1163 ft., and
about 2 m. farther the summit of Col Capronale, 4495 ft. A little
way beyond, at the Capo Guagnerola, is a beautiful semicircle of
reddish rocks covered with trees at the base. Farther E. by the Golo
this forest road joins the forest road No. 9 to Francardo (p. 18).

Having crossed the Col de Castellaccio, 850 feet, and passed through
the villages of Partinello and Vitriccia, 20 m. from Galeria, we
arrive at

miles from CALVI
miles to AJACCIO

{51}{51} PORTO (_Inn:_ H. Padoram), occupying a pleasant and sheltered situation at the head of a fine gulf, with a climate rivalling that of Ajaccio. Most of the timber from the forests of Valdoniello and Perticato is shipped here. For Porto to Ponte Francardo, see p. 18.

The road from Porto to La Piana (map, p. 20) affords a delightful
drive, and exhibits good engineering. It is cut for a considerable
distance through the rocks and cliffs and tall jagged peaks, like
cypresses turned into stone, standing on the edge of this savage
coast, parts of which are truly splendid. As the ascent is slowly
continued, charming views disclose themselves, and on each side of
the road the eye discerns some new beauty to dwell upon. At the Col
Geneparo, to the right are the ruins of the castle of the Colonnas
di Leca, rising boldly above the sea and surrounded and protected by
magnificent natural battlements and pinnacles. Six miles from Porto,
after having passed the Cols of Geneparo and Mezzano, both about
1250 feet, the traveller reaches

[Headnote: LA PIANA.]

miles from CALVI
miles to AJACCIO

{58}{44} LA PIANA, 1587 feet, pop. 1280. _Inn:_ H. France. Delightfully situated, with a fine sea-view. From the Col San Martino, 1 m. from La Piana and 1630 feet above the sea, the landscape undergoes a rapid change. The magnificent rocks become parched and arid and the grass as yellow as the soil where it tries to grow.

[Headnote: CARGÉSÉ.]

{70}{32} CARGÉSÉ, pop. 1100. _Inn:_ H. de Voyageurs. A large village at the foot of a hill which slopes down to the sea. It was founded by a colony of 730 Greeks, who, fleeing from the oppression of the Turks, arrived and settled here, by the permission of the Genoese, in March 1676. For having refused to aid Paoli in 1755 against the Genoese their villages were burnt to the ground, and they themselves had to seek refuge in Ajaccio. After the cession of Corsica to the French in 1769 M. de Marboeuf had the village and church of Cargese built for the colonists, when they all returned. Greek is still spoken in the village, and it has a Greek as well as a Romanist priest.

[Headnote: SAGONA.]

{79}{23} SAGONA, pop. 100. The port of Vico. It contains a few houses, one of which is the inn, where beds, bread, eggs, coffee and wine can be had. On the beach are generally large logs brought down from the forests for shipment. Junction with road to Vico 9¼ miles E. (see p. 23), and also with the road extending 19 miles E. to the forest of Aïtone, passing by the Col Vico, 7½ m., 1607 ft.; Poggio, 12½ m.; the Col Sevi, 3612 ft., 13¼ m.; Cristinacce, 16½ m.; and the Col Lacciola, 3040 ft. in the forest. Five and a half miles from Sagona are the cold sulphurous springs of Caldanella; efficacious as a tonic.

{87½}{14½} CALCATOGGIO, pop. 670. A poor village on a hill above the road. From this the diligence shortly after commences the ascent of the Col Sebastien, 1344 feet, 12 miles from Ajaccio. After the Col Sebastien, the road having passed over the Col Staggiola, 930 feet, within a short distance of Appietto, situated on a hill; reaches

AJACCIO, 102 miles south-west from Calvi.

Porto to the Ponte Francardo.

50 miles north-east. Map, p. 20.

This important forest road traverses the region of the highest
mountains and of the greatest forests, passes through Albertacce,
and by the other villages of the Canton of Calacuccia, and then
proceeds to Francardo by the defile of the Golo.

Porto to Evisa, 13¾ m., by an excellent carriage road wending
through most picturesque mountain scenery. The road, after following
the course of the Porto, crosses the stream Onda, ascends the ravine
of the Cario, which it crosses 3 m. from Porto under the Capo
Polmonaccia, 5627 ft. It now winds its way round little valleys into
the narrow gorge of the Porto between dark red cliffs crowned with
pinnacles. Nine m. from Porto is the ramification of the mule-path
to Chidazzo, and ½ m. farther the ramification to Marignano. The
road, after passing the chapelle S. Cyprien, enters Evisa, pop.
1000; _Inn:_ *H. Carrara; 2770 ft., on a high promontory projecting
in the centre of a mountain-girt basin from the central range
between two deep gulfs hollowed out to a depth of 2000 ft. Behind it
rise pine forests to a broad mountain crest, the pass of the Niolo.

Evisa is admirably situated for excursions. A difficult winding path
leads in 2½ hours down to the great walls of the dark granite ravine
called the Spelunca, at the confluence of the Aïtone with the Porto.
Rambles and drives into the forest of Aïtone, from which
unfortunately the old stately pines have disappeared.

Evisa to Albertacce, 18 m. E. The road traverses the forest of
Aïtone with its vigorous beeches and young pines (_Pinus laricio_),
whose stems are clear of branches from 80 to 100 ft. It is watered
by the Porto and numerous brawling streams; which rush down steep
ravines covered with moss and ferns. In the forest, 3 m. from Evisa,
by this road, is the Maison forestière d'Aïtone, where those
provided with introductions, see p. 41, will find pleasant
headquarters for grand excursions and fishing and botanical
expeditions. 1¼ m. farther is the house of the road menders
(Cantonniers) of Tagnone; where lodging can also be had.

The road having made several detours to get round the heads of
ravines, ascends the Col de Vergio 4803 ft. on the great mountain
chain separating the valley of the Golo from the valley of the
Porto. About 230 ft. above the Col on the Cricche ridge, a little to
the W., is an admirable view of Mt. Tafonato, 7687 ft., almost due
N., with a strange natural tunnel through the summit. From Mt.
Cuculla, 6733 ft., nearly 1¾ hours W. from the Col is a still better
view of Tafonato, and besides a sight of Mt. Cinto, the valley of
the Golo and the mountain range of Monte Rotondo. A little beyond
the summit of the Col is the Maison de Cantonniers de Castellaccio,
whence there is a good view of the forest of Valdoniello, 11,483
acres, containing besides many large pines very fine specimens of
beeches, birches and alders. The felling of the trees in this forest
commenced in 1863.

After arriving at the Maison forestière de Sciattarina 10½ m. from
Evisa, the road passes by some of the finest trees, and descends
into the valley of the Golo; which has its source in a ravine
between Mts. Tafonato and Paglia-Orba.

Four and a half miles farther is the Maison forestière de Popaja,
3468 ft., 15 m. from Evisa and 3 m. from Albertacce. Either this
house or the former, make good quarters for exploring the forest.

Two miles farther is the Ponte Alto, 2740 ft.; where the road
crosses the Golo and enters the pastoral country of the Niolo; now
called the canton of Calacuccia, comprehending the villages of
Albertacce, Calacuccia, Corscia, Lozzi, and Casamaccioli.

From near the bridge a mule path of 1¾ m. ascends to Casamaccioli,
2780 ft., pop. 550; whence the continuation leads in 7 hours to
Corté by the Bocca la Croce, the Melo forest, and the valley of the
Tavignano.

[Headnote: ALBERTACCE.--MONTE CINTO.]

Albertacce, 18 m. from Evisa, 2845 ft., pop. 1000, a dirty village
amidst chestnut and walnut trees; where a good deal of coarse linen
and Corsican cloth is woven. It is one of the places whence the
ascent is made of Monte Cinto, 8892 ft., in 7 hours, and in about 6
for the descent. The path ascends by Calasima, 3610 ft., to the
height of 5251 ft. After this the course extends almost horizontally
in a western direction across ridges, ascending by gradations more
or less fatiguing.

When about 7720 ft., and having climbed nearly 6 hours, a cave is
passed where shelter can be had. The remainder of the ascent is
comparatively easy. The view is grand, Monte Falo, 8363 ft., being
the most prominent object. The ascent cannot be made till the
beginning of summer on account of the snow.

[Headnote: LAKE NINO.]

To Lake Nino, 5598 ft., the source of the Tavignano in 5 hours.
From the lake a mule path chiefly by the left bank of the Tavignano,
leads in 6½ hours to Corté, through magnificent forests.

Around the lake are some shepherds huts; where rest and refreshment
can be had, but no further supply of food can be counted on between
the lake and Corté. The lake, full of fish, lies in a hollow between
high mountains, the highest being Mt. Retto, 6592 at the western
end.

Albertacce to Ponte Francardo, 18 m. N.E. The road follows the
Golo. To the left, a road 1¼ m., leads up to Lozzi, pop. 1050. 2½ m.
from Albertacce is Calacuccia, 2779 ft. pop. 860, and 2 m. farther,
another byeroad ascends to Corscia, 2913 ft., pop. 1000, about 5
hours walk S. from Asco, whence also Mt. Cinto may be ascended by
the valley of the Asco called also Stranciacone. Asco is 5 hours
from Olmi Capella by the Stranciacone, its affluent the Tassinella,
and the Col de Petrella, 6440 ft., to the S. of Mt. Corona, 7032 ft.

Near the chapel of S. Pancrazio, 2786 ft., 4 m. from Albertacce is
the commencement of the Scala di Santa Regina, as this part of road
is called, cut in the face of perpendicular cliffs rising from the
bed of the Golo. About half way are the small chapel and inn of
Santa Regina, and the cave which in former times used to be the
stronghold of robbers.

Thirteen miles from Albertacce is the Pont du Diable, 1083 ft.,
where four roads meet. The road southwards or to the right leads to
Corté, 7 m. S. by Castirla and Soveria, and the Col of Oninanda,
2155 ft., between cliffs rising 1720 ft. above it.

[Headnote: ASCO.]

The road leading northwards extends to the beautiful highway between
Ponte alla Leccia and Calvi; by Castiglione 3¼ m., pop. 550, at the
foot of Mt. Traunato, 7186 ft., Popolasca, 7 m., pop. 200, with
beautiful red granite pinnacles, and Moltifao 12 m., pop. 1050, with
Inn, consisting of a group of villages, clustered on the slopes of
the ridge which separate the valley of the Tartagine from the Asco.
The byeroad S.W. from Moltifao leads up the highly picturesque
valley of the Asco, with magnificent forest trees, to the village of
Asco, pop. 950, a group of hamlets seldom visited, although one of
the best points from which to make the ascent of Mt. Cinto.

[Headnote: PONTE FRANCARDO.]

The road leading 5 m. N.E. by the Golo extends to the Ponte
Francardo, where the rail may be taken. See p. 9 and General Map.

Calvi to Corté or to Bastia.

See General Map.

By Ponte alla Leccia. The finest part of the road is between Calvi
and the Col Colombano. "If I were to permit myself to dwell in
detail on the exquisite variety and charm of the drive, especially
after quitting the _route forestière_ a little E. of the hamlet of
Palasca, I should wander far from the main purpose of this paper.
Valery, Gregorovius, Lear and others have done justice to its
wonderful beauty, and the last truly remarks that 'those who visit
Corsica without going through upper Balagne remain ignorant of one
of its finest divisions,' adding, 'no description can exaggerate the
beauty of this remarkable tract of mountain background and deep
valley, which for richness of foreground, cheerful fertility and
elegance of distance may compete with most Italian landscapes.' The
district is densely peopled--at least twelve large villages are
situated on the road itself between Belgodere and Lumio, a distance
of 21 miles--and picturesque hamlets with lofty campanili perch high
up on the mountain slopes or crown the summits of the lower hills,
whilst everywhere there is the richest culture and most varied
produce, and the charm of the picture is completed by continually
varying views over 'bowery hollows crowned with summer sea.'"--F. F.
Tuckett, Alpine Club.

[Headnote: THE OLIVE TREE.]

miles from CALVI
miles to CORTÉ

{ }{61} CALVI. The road skirts the coast as far as Lumio, 6 m. from Calvi, whence it commences to ascend gradually by an admirably engineered road round the undulations of olive-clad mountains, disclosing at every turn a different view of the fertile valley of Balagna, extending from the distant mountains to the blue waters of the Mediterranean. It is said that there is no district throughout the whole of Italy where the olive attains such a size as in this valley. Of the tree there are three varieties, the Sabine (_Sabinacci_), the Saracen (_Saraceni_), and the Genoese (_Genovesi_), the most common of all, and is ascribed to the Genoese, who during the government of Agostino Doria compelled the Corsicans to plant olives in great numbers.

[Map: Corsica Western Central Region]

After passing the picturesquely situated village of Lavatoggio, 9 m.; the Col Cesario, 1200 ft., 10½ m.; the villages of Feliceto, inn, pop. 640, 16¼ m.; Castor, 24 m.; Speloncato; Ville di Paraso, pop. 750; Occhiatana, and many more perched on the surrounding mountain tops, or nestling in nooks among olive and chestnut trees, the diligence arrives at

[Headnote: BELGODERE.]

{26¾}{34¼} BELGODERE, 1017 feet, pop. 950, commanding the finest view of this beautiful valley, its orchards, fields and mountains undulating towards the blue sea. The diligence just remains long enough to give time to run through the gate and up the narrow dirty street to the top of the rock on which the houses are clustered, and there to take a rapid glance at the lovely scene around and underneath. After the gate, the diligence halts at the post-office, and then moves on a few yards towards the stables, where the horses are changed.

FOREST ROAD FROM BELGODERE TO THE FOREST OF TARTAGINE.

[Headnote: CAPELLA.--TARTAGINE FOREST.]

From Belgodere, Route Forestière, No. 3, leads down to the small
port of Losari, 6 miles N. from Belgodere and 4½ E. from the Ile
Rousse. A continuation of the same route southward extends to the
bridge across the Tartagine, 2355 feet, 25 miles from the Ile
Rousse, in the great forest of Tartagine. It passes the Bocca
Campana, 2782 feet, 3¼ miles from Belgodere; the Bocca Croce, 3045
feet, the culminating part of the road, 7 miles from Belgodere; and
2½ miles farther, the hamlets of Olmi and Capella, 9 miles from
Speloncato; with ever-varying mountain and village scenes among
great forests; 20 m. from Belgodere is the Pont Tartagine in the
forest of that name. The forest of Tartagine, enclosed within the
high crests of the Capo Dente 6667 ft. on the west, and of Mt. Padro
on the east, measures 7166 acres, and contains principally the
_Pinus laricio_ and the _P. pinaster_, intermingled with ilexes or
evergreen oaks (p. 41).

"Olmi-Capella 2723 ft. is in an open airy situation, commanding fine
views of the mountains to the S. and S.W., and protected to some
extent on the N. and N.W. by the ridge which sweeps round to the
head of the Tartagine valley. This ridge, though in the
neighbourhood of the village only about 1000 ft. above the sloping
plateau on which it is built, rises to the W. into the peaks of
Monte Tolo 4370 ft., Monte San Parteo 5512 ft., Monte Cineraggia
5286 ft., Monte Grosso 6227 ft., Punta Radiche 6595 ft., Capo al
Dente 6667 ft., and Monte Corona 7031 ft. The N. slope of this ridge
is very steep, and commands most magnificent views of the Haute
Balagne and the sea beyond, whilst it is traversed by numerous
passes which afford charming scenery. Besides the _route
forestière_, which crosses the Col de Bocca Croce 3048 ft., and by
which the timber of the forest of Tartagine is conveyed to Ile
Rousse for shipment, several mule-paths connect Olmi Capella much
more directly with Ville and Speloncato by the Bocca Battaglia 3550
ft., and Bocca Croce d'Ovo 3629 feet; with Feliceto by the Bocca
Pianile 5033 ft.; with Zilia and Calvi by the Bocca di Cineraggia
4698 ft.; with Calenzana by the Bocca Bianca 6155 ft., with
Calenzana or the Val Ficarella by the Bocca di Tartagine 6093 ft.;
and with the head of the valley of Asco by the Bocca de l'Ondella
6086 ft."--F. F. Tuckett, Alpine Club.

[Headnote: PALASCA.]

miles from CALVI
miles to CORTÉ

{28¾}{32¼} PALASCA, pop. 550. Situated lower down than the high road and the last village on this side of the

{31½}{29½} COL DE SAN COLOMBANO, 2625 feet above the sea. The view though more vast is less distinct, presenting a succession of mountain-tops, between which are dimly seen valleys with the sea in the distance. The diligence now descends into the narrow, rocky vale of the Navaccia, an affluent of the Tartagine, which enters the Golo a little above the important bridge called the

[Headnote: PONTE ALLA LECCIA.]

{46¾}{14¼} PONTE ALLA LECCIA. Inn at station. Here take rail for Corté (see p. 8) or for Bastia, 29 miles N.E. (see p. 10). The Ponte Nuovo is distinctly seen from the station. The two small houses near the railway bridge, on the S. side of the Golo, were Paoli's headquarters during the battle (see pp. 9 and 39).

{61} CORTÉ, see page 8.

Ajaccio to Vico and Evisa.

33 miles north; time 7 to 8 hours; fare 4 frs.

miles from AJACCIO
miles to VICO

{ }{33} AJACCIO. At about two miles from the town the diligence commences the ascent of the low Col of Stileto, passing the aqueduct for the Gravona water. On the left hand are the granite quarries whence the large slabs were taken for the monument to Napoleon in the Place d'Armes, as well as the long blocks for the pillars of the Marseilles cathedral. To the right are the village of Appietto, pop. 700, on a hill and the great cliff Monte Gozzi, 656 feet high.

{12}{21} Summit of the COL ST. SEBASTIEN, 1344 feet above the sea, commanding a lovely prospect of the Bays of Liscia, Sagona and Cargésé, and of the valley of Cinarca, with its villages and vineyards. At the foot of the Col is a small inn called Le Repos des Voyageurs, where bread and wine and capital sea-urchins can be had. They are eaten raw, and taken out of the shell by cutting it in two horizontally.

{23}{10} SAGONA, junction with road to Calvi, 79 miles N. (see p. 17).

{31}{2} Summit of the COL ST. ANTOINE, 1488 feet. Near the top, at some distance to the left, is the village of Balogna, pop. 600, while in front is seen the splendid range of the Monte Rotondo, among which the most conspicuous is La Sposata, at the head of wooded valleys.

The road to the left or N. leads to Evisa, 18 miles from Vico, pop. 1000, and 2770 feet above the sea. _Hotel:_ Carrara, a comfortable house, where vehicles may be hired. Evisa is charmingly situated on the confines of the forest of Aïtone, containing 3,749 acres. Beyond Aïtone, or 11 miles from Evisa, is the large forest of Valdoniello, 11,483 acres. These forests, instead of extending monotonously on large plains, plunge into deep valleys, or creep up the sides of high mountains.

From Evisa descend to Porto (see p. 18).

[Headnote: VICO.]

miles from AJACCIO
miles to VICO

{33} VICO, pop. 2020. _Inns:_ France, where the diligence stops; Voyageurs; Univers. Most picturesquely situated in the valley of the Liamone, surrounded by steep mountains covered with apple, peach, chestnut, walnut, olive and oak trees. On the opposite side of the valley is the large whitewashed convent of St. Francis, with terraced garden shaded by tall magnolias, beautifully placed on a thickly-wooded bank, above which is seen the small hamlet of Nessa. It is a favourite summer resort of the _élite_ of Ajaccio, who revel here on carpets of cyclamen, violets, and a profusion of other wild flowers, in the shade of the dense foliage of the chestnut groves around.

[Headnote: BATHS OF GUAGNO.]

Seven and a half miles from Vico up the wooded vale of the Liamone
and by the Bridges of Silvani and Belfiori, the village of Murzo and
the Col de Sorro, are the Baths of Guagno, with hot, sulphurous
springs, resembling in their properties those of Bareges in the
Pyrenees (see Black's _South France_). From May to September they
are much frequented, when a coach runs between Vico and Guagno.
Time, 2 hours; fare, 3 frs. Coaches can be hired at Vico for Evisa.
Charge, 10 frs.

Ajaccio to Sartène.

53 m. S. by diligence, over a hilly road; 13 hrs.

miles from AJACCIO
miles to SARTÈNE

{ }{53} AJACCIO. The most comfortable way to go to Sartène is to take the steamer to Propriano, only 8 miles N. from Sartène, and there to await the daily coach. The diligence from Ajaccio, after having crossed the rivers Gravona, Prunelli, Agnone, Vergajolo and Margone, and the pass of Campolaccio, 843 feet, arrives at

[Headnote: CAURO.]

{12½}{40½} CAURO or CAVRO, 1180 ft. _Inn._ Coach to Bastelica. Pop. 700. A straggling mountain village, commanding extensive views.

Cauro to Bastelica.

12 m. northwards by "Courrier" by a charming forest road, which
after crossing the Else at the Pont Zipitoli, 7 m. from Cauro,
enters the defile of the Prunelli at the Col de Menta, about 2 m.
from Bastelica.

The road from Cauro crosses the Col Torro, 1394 ft., 1½ m. Four
miles, the col and bridge S. Alberto, 1710 ft. whence a road
ramifies 7½ m. S. to S. Maria-Siché and Grossetto. On the right side
of the road a waterfall descends from the crest of the Usciolo.
Large oaks and chestnut trees with ilexes and pines are now seen.
7 m. here a short branch road leads to a maison forestière surrounded
by large trees, at the foot of Mt. Mantelluccio, 5515 ft. A little
farther a road ramifies 4½ m. by the wild and beautiful valley of
the Else into the forest of Ponteniello, and where it ends a mule
path commences to Frasseto, pop. 750, on the coach road between
Ajaccio and the baths of Guitera. 7½ m. the Zipitoli bridge across
the Else, a short way above its junction with the Prunelli. On the
right side of the river is the Maison de Cantonniers of Zipitoli.

8 m. The Col Crichetto, 2380 ft., and nearly 3 m. farther the Col
Menta, 2458 ft., from which the road descends to the Prunelli and
continues by its banks to

[Headnote: DOMINICACCI.]

Bastelica, pop. 4000, inn, 2400 ft., consisting of a group of
hamlets, none of which bears the name of Bastelica. Sampiero was
born in the one called Dominicacci, between Stazzona and Costa, at
the end of the 15th cent., and killed by the Ornanos in the defile
of the Prunelli on the 17th January 1567. The house which stands on
the site of the one he lived in bears an epitaph to his memory,
placed by "William Wyse, Irish Roman Catholic, nephew of Napoleon
the Great."

[Headnote: MT. RENOSO.]

Among the many pleasant excursions is the ascent of Mt. Renoso, 7733
ft., 5½ hrs. N.E.

In summer men go up every day with mules for frozen snow. There are
lakes on the south and east sides of the mountain, and some fine
velvety swards. Map, p. 27.

Five miles beyond Cauro, the Sartène road attains the summit of the Col St. Georges, 2500 ft., commanding a fine prospect of the surrounding country, and afterwards descends to the valley of Ornano, the native land of Vanina, traversed by the Taravo.

miles from AJACCIO
miles to SARTÈNE

{20}{33} APA, whence a Route Departamentale extends 18 m. N.E. to the baths of Guitera and Zicavo. Maps, pp. 1 and 27.

AJACCIO TO ZICAVO AND THE BATHS OF GUITERA.

[Headnote: BATHS OF GUITERA.]

8¼ hrs. by coach and 39 m. from Ajaccio by the Apa mill, 1841 ft.,
then by the slopes of the Punta del Castello, 2674 ft., through a
charming country, to S. Maria-Siché, 2 m. from Apa, inn where
coach stops, pop. 800. An old lofty building here of granite, with
the remains of towers blackened by age, was the birthplace of the
unfortunate Vanina, strangled by Sampiero, p. 39. The ruins of the
chateau he built for himself in 1554, after his house had been
destroyed, are seen on a hill to the left of the road. Coaches for
Ajaccio, Guitera, Zicavo, and Propriano. 4½ m. from Apa at Campo,
pop. 390, the road describes a great circuit to get round the head
of the defile of the torrent of Frasseto, an affluent of the Taravo.
1¼ m. farther is Frasseto, pop. 740. When about 2770 feet high there
is, through an opening, a superb view extending to the sea by the
valley of the Frasseto. 8 m. from Apa is the Col de Granace, 2713
ft., with a splendid view. Zecavo, 10 m., 2238 ft., pop. 510, on an
affluent of the Taravo. Then rounding the buttresses of the Sposata,
3288 ft., enter the village of Corrano, 12 m., pop. 470, in a lovely
situation. 14½ m. from Apa and 34½ from Ajaccio are the hot
sulphurous springs of Guitera, with hotel, 1437 ft., on the right
bank of the Taravo, an excellent trout stream. Coach to and from
Ajaccio during the season, from May to September. Pleasantly
situated among cork oaks and banks covered with the Osmunda fern.
The road from the Baths of Guitera up to Zicavo, 3½ m., follows for
about 1 m. the Taravo till its union with the torrent from Mt.
Coscione, whence it climbs up through the gorge to

[Headnote: ZICAVO.--MT. INCUDINE.]

Zicavo, pop. 1500, hotel, 2385 ft., charmingly situated,
overlooking the valley of the Taravo, 38 m. by coach from Ajaccio.
From Zicavo the ascent is made of Monte Incudine, 7008 ft., in 6
hrs. Mules can be employed to within ½ hr. of summit. Although not
difficult, guide and mule are advisable, if for nothing else than to
assist in fording the streams. After having passed the chapel of S.
Roch, ascend a steep mule path, right, among the largest and best
formed chestnut trees in the island, then rounding Mt. Buchino, 3623
ft., among ilexes, and Mt. Occhiato, 5749 ft., covered with beech
trees, ascend southwards by a wooded ravine between great rocks.
Between 2 and 3 hrs. the Pastures of the plain of Coscione, with
many shepherds' huts, are reached, whence Mt. Incudine is seen.
After leaving this the path becomes very bad, over loose stones and
across troublesome torrents. These are succeeded by an annoying
thick coppice of alders, and then the Col de Cheralba, 6345 ft., is
ascended, in about 5½ hrs. from starting. The mules are left here,
and the ascent is made by the western flank, taking care to make the
guide understand that the highest peak is wanted, and not the Rocher
de l'Incudine. "The view is probably the most beautiful in
Corsica--a vast panorama full of variety. Steep pine clad hills sink
abruptly into the eastern sea; glens open southward on a rich
glowing valley; the blue depths of the bays are fringed with an
edging of white sand and green water. The great granite aiguilles of
the forest of Bavella, a strange array of horns and pinnacles, run
across the foreground; to the left the long fiord of Porto Vecchio
stretches far into the land; while in the centre of the picture are
spread out the broad Straits of Bonifacio, studded with pale isles
and islets. On the left is Caprera, the home of the liberator of the
Two Sicilies. [Headnote: NELSON.] The one beside it, Maddalena, is
linked with even greater memories--Nelson and Napoleon. Under its
lee, in a bay which Nelson christened 'Agincourt Sound,' the British
fleet lay for months before the battle of the Nile, watching for the
French squadron sheltered behind the guns of Toulon. Two silver
candlesticks on the altar of the village church record Nelson's
gratitude for the friendly services of the inhabitants. It was in
attacking this same village that Napoleon, in 1793, first saw fire.
For mountain views the Alpine clubman is spoilt, but for sea views,
and they are not less beautiful, he must go far, perhaps as far as
Greece, to find such another."--D. F. Freshfield, Alpine Club. See
map on fly-leaf.

miles from AJACCIO
miles to SARTÈNE

{21}{32}
GROSSETO, 1476 feet, pop. 600; 4½ hours by diligence from Ajaccio.
A little beyond the inn is the church, sheltered by large ilex
trees, which grow to a great height in this neighbourhood.

{30}{23}
BICCHISANO, 350 feet, pop. 1800, where the passengers dine.
The diligence then passes the villages of Petreto and Cassalabriva,
pop. 300, and shortly afterwards reaches the summit of the Col
Celaccia, 1910 feet, about 2½ m. E. from Sollacaro, pop. 800, where
Boswell visited Paoli. Sollacaro is not on the highroad.

[Headnote: OLMETO.]

{39}{14}
OLMETO, pop. 1650, hotel. On a hill, with an extensive view.
In the neighbourhood, on Monte Buttareto, are the ruins of the
castle of Arrigo della Rocca. No more beautiful sight than that of
Olmeto can be pictured. Immediately below the town the ground dips
steeply down, covered with corn or turf; or in terraces of vineyard,
varied with large groups of fine olive trees stretching down to the
shore. Above the village a vast growth of vegetation climbs the
heights. Among huge masses of granite are tangles of every shrub the
island produces, the wild olive or oleaster being one of the most
elegant; while every part of the heights close to the town abounds
with little picture subjects, with a clear blue sky for a
background.

The road now descends to the coast, and after crossing the Baracci,
near the hot sulphurous mineral baths of Baracci, arrives at

[Headnote: PROPRIANO.]

{44½}{8½}
PROPRIANO, pop. 1000. H. France.
Every Saturday a steamer arrives from Ajaccio, and returns on the
Monday morning. Another steamer twice weekly between this and
Ajaccio. Near the bridge over the Rizzanèse, are the two Celtic
monuments called the Stazione del' Diavolo.

PROPRIANO TO SOLENZARA.

Two and a half miles beyond the bridge commences the Route
Forestière, No. 4, leading to Solenzara, 42½ m. N.E. This road
ascends by the Rizzanese to S. Lucia di Tallano, whence eastward to
Levie, 1970 ft.; and thence Zonza, 2586 ft. The road afterwards
ascends N.E. by a picturesque ravine to the Col Bavella, 3965 ft.;
whence after descending to the Maison Cantonniere, 1476 ft., it
crosses the Col Larone, 2013; whence it descends by a winding road
partly by the banks of the Fiumicello and partly by the R. Solenzara
to Solenzara (see p. 36).

[Map: Corsica, Central Region]

Shortly after crossing the Rizzanese the diligence commences the long ascent to Sartène, disclosing views of the great valley below and of the splendid snowy heights of the long range of mountains opposite, terminating in the lofty regions of the great Monte Incudine, 7008 ft.

[Headnote: SARTÈNE.]

miles from AJACCIO
miles to SARTÈNE

{53}
SARTÈNE, 1000 feet; pop. 6010; _Inns:_ Commerce: Univers.
Coaches daily to and from Ajaccio, Bonifacio and Santa Lucia di
Tallano. Old Sartène is a town of narrow streets approached by a
fine bridge, whence the whole valley is seen down to the Gulf of
Valinco. It still retains some towers and parts of the walls erected
in the 16th century. The houses are built of rough, dark gray
granite, with steep stone steps leading up to the main entrance, and
odd Italian chimneys, some in the shape of pillars with curious
capitals, others in the form of towers or obelisks. The houses
bordering the Nouvello Traverse and the streets leading into the
"Place" form the new town.

Sartène to Corté by Vivario,

up the centre of the island. Maps, pp. 1 and 27.

This grand mountain road, No. 196 bis, extends from Sartène,
73 m. N. to the Ajaccio and Corté road, which it joins at the 60
kilometres-stone, on the Col Serra, ½ mile from Vivario. All the
diligences between Ajaccio and Corté halt at the inn of Vivario
(p. 8).

[Headnote: S. LUCIA DI TALLANO.]

After leaving Sartène the road crosses the Fiumicicoli and ascends the valley of the Rizzanese to Loreto, 12 m., and Cargiaca 15 m. N. from Sartène 1302 ft.; grand view. Near Loreto is S. Lucia di Tallano, 1270 ft., with a quarry of a beautiful amphibole, a variety of hornblende. The ground colour is grayish blue sprinkled with white and margined with black spots (see p. 37).

[Headnote: ZICAVO.]

From Cargiaca the road enters the valley of the Coscione and ascends through the ilex forest of Taca amidst towering mountains and vertical cliffs by the villages of Zerubia and Aullene, 2736 ft., pop. 1100; inn; 21 m. N. from Sartène. It now crosses the Coscione, 3492 ft., then the Col Vaccia, 3898 ft., and descends by the Col d'Alisandri, 3426 ft., to Zicavo, 2445 ft., with an inn, 17 m. from Aullene, 3½ m. E. from the baths of Guitera, 38 m. N. from Sartène and 37 m. S. from Vivario.

From the Bocca Tinzole a road ramifies N.W. to Olivese 1460 ft., pop. 700, in the valley of the Taravo, 7 m. from Guitera by a beautiful road.

From Zicavo the road crosses the Col San Francesco, 1969 ft., to Cozzano, 40 m., pop. 900, and enters the valley of the Taravo, which it ascends by the east bank between two great mountain chains, the culminating point of the western chain being Mt. Don Giovanni 6405 ft., and that of the eastern Pointe Capella 6706 ft.

Three and a quarter miles up the valley from Cozzano a wheel road leads 1½ m. E. to the Maison Forestière of St. Antoine, whence a mule path by the Col de Rapara, 5557 ft., extends to Isolaccio and the hot baths of Pietrapola, p. 8, by a picturesque road through a beautiful part of the forest.

Four and a half miles above Cozzano is the Col Scrivano, 2959 ft., whence a mule path leads across the valley to Palneca, pop. 1050, on the wooded slopes of Mt. Pietra Cinta, 4958 ft.

A little below the summit of the Col is the Maison de Cantonniers de Scrivano.

Nine and a half miles N. from Zicavo is the bridge Argentuccia, fronting a grand semi-circle of mountains covered with noble trees. This is the commencement of the real Verde forest.

Eleven and three quarter miles from Zicavo is the Maison de Cantonniers de Ghiraldino, 3936 ft., 49 m. N. from Sartène, 2 m. S. from the Col Verde and 5 m. S. from the House of Refuge of Marmano. A little beyond the house a wheel road, left, descends into one of the finest parts of the Verde forest.

[Headnote: COL VERDE.]

Thirteen and three quarter miles from Zicavo and 51 m. from Sartène is the Col Verde, 4290 ft., with, nearly a mile distant, the Maison de Cantonniers de Marmano. Below is the forest of Marmano, with its best trees cut down, and in the neighbourhood the sources of the rivers Taravo, 5678 ft., at the Col Tisina, of the Fium Orbo, 3783 ft. under a mountain a little to the N. of the Col Verde, and of the Prunelli, 4790 ft., among a group of high mountains to the W. The Vecchio rises from the springs on Mt. Oro.

[Headnote: REFUGE DE MARMANO.]

Seventeen miles from Zicavo and 54 m. from Sartène is the Refuge de Marmano, 3182 ft., beautifully situated. Here was formerly the summer station of the Casabianda penitentiary. The escaped criminals committed such outrages that the government at the repeated petitioning of the shepherds were obliged to withdraw it. Finally Casabianda was abandoned also, and the prisoners removed to the neighbourhood of Ajaccio, where they could be well looked after.

Food and lodging may be obtained at the Maison Forestière, or 1¼ m. farther at the Maison de Cantonniers de Canareccia, 2760 ft., in the rocky defile of the Fium Orbo. Between this and Ghisoni, 6 m., 3 bridges and 2 low Cols are crossed. At the second bridge, the Pont de Casso, 4½ m. from Ghisoni, are seen the great pinnacles or needles and lofty cliffs of Albuccia Point or Kyrie Eleison, 4935 ft.

From the Canaraccia the road winds its way northward along the flanks of mountains sloping down to the Orbo, which it leaves shortly before reaching

[Headnote: GHISONI.--COL SORBA.]

Ghisoni, pop. 1740, 2160 ft., 62 m. N. from Sartène, 12 m. S. from Vivario, 8 m. N. from the House of Refuge, and 24 m. N. from Zicavo. Four m. N. from Ghisoni the road crosses the Col Scozzolatojo, 3916 ft., and 2 m. farther the Col Sorba, 4310 ft., 6 m. S. from Vivario, see p. 8. The descent from the Col Sorba into Vivario is very striking. It is effected by excessively sharp zigzags through a noble pine forest. Between the branches tower the bold forms of Monte d'Oro, Monte Rotondo, and, in the distance, behind the uplands of Corté, the crags of Monte Traunato.

The best resting-places on this road are Zicavo, 39 m. S.E. from Ajaccio, from which it is approached by a diligence; and the pleasant village of Ghisoni, where there is a very fair inn. At Vivario there is the Hotel Voyageurs. Guides and carriages should be hired either at Sartène or Vivario, 20 frs. per day.

Ghisoni to Ghisonaccia.

18 m. S.E. Maps, pp. 1 and 27.

By the Forest road No. 5, cut for nearly 11 m. in the face of the
steep cliffs which enclose the Orbo. As this road in all the
dangerous parts is hardly 11 ft. wide, it is necessary to ascertain
before starting in a vehicle, the position of the carts conveying
the logs, and to arrange accordingly.

The road descends from Ghisoni to the Pont de Regolo, 2077 ft.,
where it crosses the Casapietrone, and then follows the course of
the Fium Orbo, crosses the Ruello Bridge 1450 ft., and enters the
Salto della Sposata 4½ m. from Ghisoni, where the river flows in a
narrow bed between vertical precipices, some more than 1200 ft.
high.

[Headnote: L'INZECCA.]

The road, chiselled out of these cliffs, passes under 3 great
portals. From the third is seen, through the great cleft in the rock
of Inzecca, the sea at Aleria.

After this the defile opens up to close again between serpentine
cliffs. It then crosses the 2 Ponts de Parabuja and the viaduct de
l'Inzecca, and reaches the entrance to the Passage de l'Inzecca,
7 m. from Ghisoni, 985 ft. above the sea, where the road is cut
through great serpentine rocks. This is the most difficult part for
the waggons to pass. Map, p. 27.

The plain now widens, and 8 m. from Ghisoni a branch road leads to
Vezzani.

Nine and a quarter miles from Ghisoni is the Col S. Antoine, 355 ft.,
and 8¾ m. farther is Ghisonaccia, p. 32.

Sartène to Bonifacio.

33 miles south-east, by diligence; time, 6 hours.

miles from SARTÈNE
miles to BONIFACIO

{ }{33} SARTÈNE. The road winds its way through great blocks of granite scattered on a plain studded with shrubby specimens of the ilex, towards the shore of the Golfo di Roccapina, with a fantastically shaped rock called il Leone Coronato. East from the gulf the road passes the village of Pianottoli, 21 m. from Sartène, almost due south from the singular mountain l'Uomo di Cagna, 3980 ft.; then the bridge across the Figari at the head of the Gulf of Figari, 23 m.; the Col de la Testa or Scopeto, 225 ft., 24 m.; and the bridge across the Ventilegni, 27 m. from Sartène, and 6 from Bonifacio.

[Headnote: BONIFACIO.]

{33} BONIFACIO, pop. 4000. H. du Nord; France in the high town. Diligences leave daily for Bastia, Sartène, and Ajaccio. A steamer arrives every Saturday from Ajaccio and returns on the Monday. Bonifacio was founded in 833 by the Tuscan marquis whose name it bears, to protect this part of the island against the piratical incursions of the Saracens. The high town is built on the top of a limestone rock rising vertically from the sea. The low town occupies one side of the fine natural dock, hemmed in by perpendicular cliffs with an opening of only 328 yards towards the sea. From the steamboat wharf a broad paved series of steps leads up to the high town, entering it through the Porte Vieille. In the old house fronting this Porte or gateway, Charles V., in 1541, stayed two days and a night on his return from his unsuccessful expedition against Algiers. Overtaken by a storm, he had taken refuge in the Gulf of Santa Manza. The door of the house, decorated with an arabesque on marble, is in the narrow side street. In the Place d'Armes are the church of San Domenico, built by the Templars, characterised by its octagonal tower with an embrasured termination; and the great tower "Torrione," part of the fortifications built by the marquis, and formerly the most important part of the citadel. Near this tower is the flight of steps "Redragon," cut in the rock by the Genoese, which descends by 202 steps to the sea. The small room over the gateway of the citadel, opposite the house of Charles V., was inhabited by Napoleon for nearly eight months. There are grand sea-views from the ramparts. The town consists of tall, dingy houses, and narrow, steep, and in most cases dirty streets. The promenade of Bonifacio is the small covered terrace before the church of Santa Maria. Here also is the public cistern.

Of the numerous caves which pierce the base of the rock of Bonifacio, the most remarkable one enters from the sea, 214 feet below the Place d'Armes, and extends to an unknown distance. It contains a freshwater lake, which rises and falls with the tide. A staircase with a vaulted roof and consisting of 337 steps leads down to this lake. The water is brought up to the surface by a force pump, is perfectly transparent, with a slight calcareous taste. In the high town there are 39 private and one public cistern, in which the rain water from the roofs is stored up. The low town has a well supplied from a stream by an aqueduct. The afternoon is the best time to visit the caves. A boat for one or party should not cost more than 5 frs. The finest, the Dragonetta, cannot be visited when the sea is rough.

On Monte Pertusato (the south extremity of Corsica), 2 miles S.E. from Bonifacio, is a lighthouse of the first order, 325 feet above the sea. The southern promontory is pierced by a cavern hung with stalactites.

Bonifacio to Bastia.

103 miles; diligence to Ghisonaccia, 50 m. N., the rest by rail.

miles from BONIFACIO
miles to BASTIA

{ }{103} BONIFACIO. The diligence, after passing the Col Finocchio, 354 feet, 2½ miles N. from Bonifacio, the Maison Francola, 7 miles, the bridge across the Stabiacco, 16 miles, and the Col Mattonara, 17½ miles (whence the Route Forestière, No. 11, ascends 14 miles west into the forest of the Ospedale), arrives in 3 hours at

[Headnote: PORTO-VECCHIO.]

{27}{76} PORTO-VECCHIO, pop. 2740. Hôtel Amis. Surrounded by its old walls, and at the head of a beautiful gulf. The surrounding country is fertile, but unhealthy during the hot weather, on account of the miasma rising from the morasses and lagoons. To the N. of Porto, the mountains still approach near to the sea; but beyond Solenzara (where the diligence halts) 41½ miles from Bonifacio, they recede and leave free those great undulating plains which characterise the eastern coast of Corsica--plains almost uninhabited and covered with heaths. From the north side of the Travo commences a series of large lakes swarming with fish and a kind of cockle. They are separated from the sea by long narrow sandbanks, like earthen break-waters. The malaria prevails from June to October, but even then only the night should be avoided in travelling along this coast. The road after passing by the hamlet of Favona, 33 m., arrives at

[Headnote: SOLENZARA.]

{45}{58}
SOLENZARA. Whence a wheel road extends westwards into the forest of
Bavella by the Col Bavella 18½ m. S.W., and the Col Scalella, 22 m.,
2982 ft. to Zonza, 24½ m. from Solenzara; 4 m. farther is the
village of S. Gavino di Carbini, 2292 ft., and other 2½ m. the
village of Levie; 30 m. S.W. from Solenzara, and 10½ from Propriano
is S. Lucia de Tallano, on the highroad to Aullene (see p. 27), and
for continuation of this road to Propriano see p. 26.

The road to Bastia, after passing the Travo, 44 m., Vicchiseri, 46 m., and Casamozza, 48½ m., arrives at the railway station of

[Headnote: GHISONACCIA.]

{53}{50}
GHISONACCIA, pop. 850. On the Fium Orbo, 36 m. S.E. from Corté.
From this a department road of 4½ m. leads to the hot sulphurous
baths of Pietrapola, with a large hotel in a healthy situation.

From Ghisonaccia a carriage road extends N.W. to the villages of
Poggio-di-Nazza, 9½ m., and Lugo-di-Nazza, 11½ m. From Ghisonaccia
railway station a forest road extends 18 m. N.W. to Ghisoni, where
it joins the high road between Sartène and Vivario (p. 29). The
southern prolongation of this road leads to Zicavo, Petreto,
Bicchisano, and Portopollo, on the Gulf of Valinco.

Forty-six m. from Bastia is Casabianda. H. Perett; a village situated on a well-cultivated estate belonging to the government; formerly used as an agricultural penitentiary for juvenile criminals. In the hot season it is safer to pass the night at Casabianda than at Aleria.

[Headnote: ALERIA.]

miles from BONIFACIO
miles to BASTIA

{58¼}{44¾} ALERIA. Inn. The capital of Corsica till the invasion of the Saracens in the 4th cent., now a poor village with an old Genoese fort, situated at the mouth of the Tavignano, 1¼ m. from the Etang de Diane. Ancient Aleria, the colony founded by the dictator Sulla about 82 B.C., occupied both banks of the Tavignano, which waters one of the finest plains in the world, where winter is unknown. The site of the town was well selected. The population was probably 20,000.

It was at Aleria that Theodore Neuhoff, a native of Altona, in Germany, landed to have himself proclaimed King of Corsica, March 1736. He died a pauper in London, and was buried in an obscure corner of St. Anne's churchyard, Soho. On a mural tablet against the exterior wall, west end, is the following epitaph written by Horace Walpole:--"Near this place is interred Theodore, King of Corsica, who died in this parish, Dec. 11, 1756, immediately after leaving the King's Bench prison, by the benefit of the Act of Insolvency. In consequence of which, he registered his kingdom of Corsica for the use of his creditors." His capital was Cervione. The lake de Diane is a great sheet of salt water with one narrow opening to the sea. It formed the harbour of Aleria, and was provided with quays, of which a vestige still remains. The lake contains an island 460 yards in circumference, composed of oyster shells covered with luxurious vegetation. Fish, and a cockle a species of Venerupis, inhabit the brackish water of the lake.

ALERIA TO CORTÉ.

Coach every other day; fare, 5 francs; time, 4 hours.

Thirty-one and a half m. N.W., by a picturesque road up the
course of the Tavignano, passing Cateraggio, 2 m., Rotani, 5 m.,
commencement of bridle path leading N. to Tallone, 7½ m., Tox,
9½ m., Campo, 11 m., and Moïta, 12½ m. Seven m. farther up the main
road a ramification extends N. to Giuncaggio, 4½ m., and to
Pancheraccia, 5½ m.

Up the main road, 21½ m. from Aleria, and near the bridge across
the Vecchio, a bridle path strikes off S. to Rospigliani, 5 m., and
Vezzani, 6½ m. A little higher a ramification extends 5 m. W. to
Serraggio (p. 8). The road, after passing several other ramifications
with the Corté and Ajaccio road, arrives at Corté, p. 8.

Ten m. W. from Aleria are the cold saline sulphurous springs of
Puzzichello, 190 ft., considered efficacious in the cure of
syphilitic diseases, resembling in this property the water of Aulus
in the Pyrenees. See Black's _South France_, West Half (Pyrenees).

[Headnote: PRUNETE.--CERVIONE.--ALESANI.]

miles from BONIFACIO
miles to BASTIA

{79}{24}
PRUNETE. _Inn:_ Gaetan. Junction with road to Ponte alla Leccia, 44 m.
N.W. (p. 9), leading through a region of chestnut trees and past many
villages on the mountains, built chiefly on terraces. A coach runs from
the station to Alesani called also Castagneto 1938 ft. 14 m. W.;
ascending by Muchieto 808 ft. 3¾ m., Cervione 1073 ft. 4½ m., pop.
1000; _Inns:_ France: Voyageurs: an untidy village, once the capital
of King Theodore's realm. From Cervione the road describes a long
detour to the bridge across the Chebbia, whence it ascends to Cotone
1008 ft 6¼ m., the Col d'Aja 1236 ft., and Ortale 1489 ft., 1¾ m.
from Alesani. Good red wine is made in the neighbourhood of
Cervione. The dirty little village of Castagneto or Alesani is
picturesquely situated on the side of a mountain overlooking a
valley covered with chestnut trees. The diligence stops at an inn,
where bread, eggs and coffee with goats' milk can be had and a
comfortable bed. A char-a-banc from this inn to Piedicroce (Orezza)
costs 10 frs., time 2½ hours, 11 miles. For Orezza, see p. 34.
Passengers from Prunete to Piedicroce or Stazzona should not stop at
Cervione but continue the diligence route to Castagneto, whence
start next morning. The drive between Castagneto and Piedicroce, 11
miles, is by far the most beautiful part of the road. The highest
part of the Col d'Arcarotta is a narrow ridge between the valleys of
Orezza and Ortia, commanding a charming view. See also p. 35.

{87¼}{24¾} PADULELLA. Four and a quarter miles west by a good road is San Nicolao, pop. 600.

[Headnote: STAZZONA.]

{84¼}{18¾}
FOLELLI-Orezza station. Junction with road to Piedicroce 14¼ m. S.W.;
by the course of the Fium'alto, the Chestnut country, and the
village of Stazzona, 13¼ m. from Folelli, ¼ m. from and 355 ft.
under Piedicroce, and 1 m. from and 200 ft. above the spring of
Orezza. The coach from the station stops at Stazzona, pop. 250.
_Hotels_: *Paix, Casino. Very fine oleanders in the gardens. On the
opposite side of the valley of the Fium'alto is Granajola, with the
establishment Manfredi, 2016 ft. above the sea and 220 feet above
the spring. The hotel Manfredi has the most select society, is the
largest house, and its road from the spring is the least dusty; but
as no public coach goes there it is necessary to hire a private
conveyance either at Stazzona or Piedicroce, 3 or 4 miles. The
charge in all the hotels is 7 frs. per day, not including coffee or
tea in the morning. The hotels of Stazzona and the hotel Manfredi
are the most convenient for the Spa drinkers; those of Piedicroce
are too distant.

[Headnote: OREZZA.]

The Orezza spring is in the centre of a small terrace in the narrow
valley of the Fium'alto, whose steep banks are covered with chestnut
trees, and ascended by dusty winding roads. The water is a
bicarbonate chalybeate, with an agreeable amount of free carbonic
acid gas.

[Headnote: VESCOVATO.]