Photo of Filitosa

Visit Filitosa

The celebrated prehistoric site at Filitosa is inland, in the Taravo Valley at Sollacaro, 17 km north of Propriano and to the south of Ajaccio.

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, and surrounded by forested hills, which further enhances the surprise and impact when you come upon the sculptures.

Explore Filitosa

Filitosa has a magnificent array of prehistoric menhirs, and statues with the hard granite carved into human representations, for reasons that are not entirely known. The site was occupied perhaps 7000 years ago, with the carvings created around 3000 years ago. It is one of the most complete examples of Megalithic art in the Mediterranean area.

Filitosa main monument

Before you start your visit it is useful to recall that the current displays and groupings of the statues are a modern layout to show them at their best, and not an accurate recreation of their original (unknown) positions.

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.

The setting and landscape of the site is very lovely and when we visited in May was full of wildflowers. The menhirs are visited as part of a walk of about 1-2 kilometers. The first monument you see is the best preserved and is the man with a sword pictured above. This megalith is known as Filitosa V.

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After this you will pass by a dwelling and a group of menhirs around the dwelling. A little further away is another of the highlights of Filitosa, a group of menhirs gathered around the bottom of an ancient olive tree. Behind the olive tree is the quarry from where the menhirs were extracted.

As well as the menhirs and the pretty scenery there is a group of rocks with one shaped like a dinosaur - very popular with the children and the views from here back over the site are excellent.

Further menhirs can be seen in the museum. Entrance to the site is 7 euros and there is a cafe and gift shop on the site.

group of menhirs at Filitosa

Places to visit nearby

Also in the south west of Corsica is the beach resort of Propriano with some popular beaches and a small marina. South of here Sartene is a lovely village with a charming old town of narrow streets and alleys.

If you liked Filitosa you may also want to visit Palaghju which contains a large concentration of menhirs. It is home to 258 megaliths and 70 menhirs. 

You can find more local travel ideas in the South Corsica guide,

See also: 

Photos of Filitosa

Click any picture to start the gallery

  • dinosaur
  • filitosa1
  • filitosa2
  • flowers-menhirs
  • group-menhirs
  • menhirs
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Map of Filitosa and places to visit

 
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Filitosa places to visit

Propriano

Propriano

Propriano is a town popular for its easy access to great beaches, stunning scenery and mountains

Propriano guide
Sartene

Sartene

Sartene in Corsica is in a scenic position on a hilltop with an interesting old town and impressive views

Sartene guide
Palaghju

Palaghju

Palaghju has the largest number of prehistoric standing stones of anywhere in the Mediterranean

Palaghju guide
Ajaccio

Ajaccio

Ajaccio, birthplace of Napoleon, also benefits from attractive beaches, Ajaccio cathedral and a citadel

Ajaccio guide
Bavella

Bavella

The Col de Bavella is a mountain pass and series of rocky spires to the north-west of Porto-Vecchio

Bavella guide
Iles Sanguinaires

Iles Sanguinaires

Visit the the scenic peninsula of the Iles Sanguinaires, ideally by boat trip. Views over the islands are beautiful.

Iles Sanguinaires guide
 
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