Itinerary through Corsica | Page 7

2120 ft. above the sea. Inn:
Univers. Picturesquely situated in a plantation of chestnut trees,
surrounded by high mountain peaks. Near Bocognano commences the
Vizzavona tunnel, 4375 yards through the mountain. Diligence now to
Corté. The road, having crossed the Sellola bridge, 2843 ft., winds its
way up by the Col de Pinzalone, 3370 ft., and the Maison and Pont de
Lavatoggio 3615 ft. to the top of the ridge. See map, p. 27.
[Headnote: VIZZAVONA.]
[Headnote: PINES.]
{31}{64} LE FORT DE VIZZAVONA, on the summit of the Pass,
3813 ft. above the sea, with the Gendarmerie and a few houses of
refuge. A few miles northwards is Monte d'Oro, 7845 ft., and
southwards Monte Renoso, 7733 ft. The diligence, in its descent to
Vivario, traverses the forest of Vizzavona, consisting mainly of beeches
and larches, frequently 150 ft. high. Of this tree there are two varieties,
the Pinus pinaster or cluster pine, the Pin maritime of the French,
which grows best on deep loose soils and flourishes even on the
drifting sands of the sea shore. They supply large quantities of resin.
Their wood being soft, coarse and perishable, is usually converted into
charcoal and lamp black. The other is the Pinus laricio, which thrives
on the high lands of Corsica, Spain, south of France, Greece and
Cyprus. Their growth is rapid, the trunk straight and from 100 to 150 ft.
high, the branches are in regular whorls, forming in large trees a
pyramidal head, and the leaves are slender, from 4 to 7 inches long, and
of a dark green tint. The timber is good and durable, though less strong
than that of the Pinus silvestris. Between the 51st and 53d kilomètre
stones are passed the "Maison de Refuge d'Alzarella," and the "Maison
de refuge Omellina," 2832 ft.
After crossing the Col de Campo di Lupo, 2684 ft., 35 m. from Ajaccio,
the road descends into the ravine of the Vecchio, above which is

[Headnote: VIVARIO.]
{38}{57} VIVARIO, pop. 1500, and 2152 ft. Inn: H. Voyageurs a
three-storied house. Junction with road to Zicavo, 37 m. S. (pp. 27,29).
Although Vivario be a poor village, yet it has a terrace and fountain
ornamented with a statue of Diana. The breeding of pigs fed in the
adjoining chestnut forest, and the manufacture of hams, sausages and
bacon, are the most important industries of the inhabitants.
From Vivario a forest road extends 27 m. S.E. to the hamlet of Vadina,
by Muracciole 2022 ft., 1½ m., the Col Erbajo 3018 ft., 7 m.; Pietroso
10½ m., Saparelli 12½ m., and Quinzena 18 m. From Vadina a good
carriage road leads 6 m. to the Baths of Pietrapola, which are supplied
by most copious springs of hot, saline, sulphurous water. The season is
from May 1 to June 30; or September 1 to November 30. The situation
is beautiful and the bathing-establishment and lodging accommodation
comfortable, and much frequented.
The road from Vivario to Serraggio passes along the top of the rocky
gorge of the foaming Vecchio. The best view of the gorge is from the
Pont du Vecchio 40 m. from Ajaccio and 280 ft. above the bed. From
Serraggio, 1890 ft., Mt d'Oro is well seen. See map, p. 20.
The road now passes Lugo, 1980 ft.; S. Pietro, 2496 ft.; the Col. S.
Nicolo, 2473 ft.; and Casanova, 2136 ft., to
[Headnote: CORTÉ.]
miles from AJACCIO miles to BASTIA
{51}{44} CORTÉ, 1329 ft., pop. 5500. Hotels: *Paoli, 8 to 10 frs.,
Europe. Is situated at the junction of the Tavignano with the Restonico,
in the midst of majestic mountains of the most varied form. The citadel
or château, built in the early part of the 15th century, stands on
precipitous and jagged rocks rising from the Tavignano, commanding
from the top a magnificent view of the wild surrounding scenery. In the
"Place" is a statue of Paoli, the Corsican patriot, born at Stretta in 1726,
and to the right of the statue the post and telegraph office. In the

immediate neighbourhood stands a large house, a Franciscan convent,
in which the Corsican parliament assembled in Paoli's time. Near Corté,
by the left side of the Restonico, is a quarry of marble of a bluish tint
with reddish white veins. To take the walk up the gorge of the
Restonico, descend by first road left up the main street from the hotels
and cross only the Tavignano bridge. The mountain appearing to close
the valley is Mte. Rotondo. See map, p. 20.
Coach to Aleria, 31 m. S.E. (p. 33), by a beautiful road.
Just outside Corté the rail traverses the Torretta tunnel, 1531 yards.
[Headnote: MTE. ROTONDO.]
From Corté the ascent of Monte Rotondo is most easily effected. It is
8613 feet above the sea-level, or 7284 feet above Corté.