Filitosa

The island of Corsica is one of the 18 regions of France. It was colonized the Carthaginians, the Greeks, the Etruscans and the Romans. After the Roman empire collapsed, Corsica got invaded by the Vandals and the Ostrogoths. For a short while the island belonged to the Byzantine Empire, then the Franks granted the island to the Pope, in the early 11th century Pisa and Genoa together freed the island from the threat of Arab invasion. The island came under the influence of the Republic of Pisa, later it belonged to Genua for centuries. In 1755 after a long fight for independence from Genoa the independent Corsican Republic was proclaimed, but in 1769, when the island was conquered by France. As the areas near the coast over centuries have been threatened by attacks and raids of pirates many old hamlets and dwellings are wide inland, high in the mountains.

Filitosa is a prehistoric site occupied from the ancient Neolithic until Antiquity. It is known for its spectacular concentration of menhirs statues with many details.

The site was discovered in 1946 by the owner of the site, Charles-Antoine Cesari. Excavations began in 1954. The menhirs, representing armed characters, and the potteries found on the spot date from about 3300 BC. The site was discovered in 1946 by the owner of the site, Charles-Antoine Cesari. Excavations began in 1954. The menhirs, representing armed characters, and the potteries found on the spot date from about 3300 BC. Some of the menhirs are two or three meters high. They were erected around 1500 BC.

This is the first menhir the visitor sees, having entered Filitosa. It is actually a copy. The original statue is taken away for conservation.