Visit Filitosa in Corsica

The celebrated prehistoric site at Filitosa is inland, in the Taravo Valley 17 km north of Propriano.

The owner of the land discovered the site in 1946, and excavations began several years later. The excavated region is approached by a track through an olive plantation, which further enhances the surprise and impact when you come upon the sculptures.

The region has a magnificent array of prehistoric menhirs, with the hard granite carved into human representations, for reasons that are not entirely known. Based on and around a central monument, the original purpose of the remarkable figures can only by guessed at, although it is thought to be an attempt to ward off invaders.

Filitosa V and Filitosa IX (photo above) are perhaps the best recognised, although the central monument is equally special, and another of the highlights of Filitosa is a group of menhirs now gathered around the bottom of an ancient olive tree.

Remains of dwellings can also be seen on the site, and further menhirs can be seen in the museum.

 

 

 

See also: Ancient Egypt