Algajola-Corsica | Stupendous Corner of a Radiant Mediterranean Island.

Algajola is certainly a beautiful destination in Corsica, a place born to be greatly discovered metre by metre enjoying a unique and stupendous corner of a radiant Mediterranean island which has a lot to offer and it has always been a more than ideal and favourite heaven and escapade for all those who loves sea, sun, fantastic sandy beaches, rocky promontories, scenic high cliffs, all superb natural features flanked by  fascinating sea views harmoniously highlighted by an outstanding frame with protagonist a virgin and intact nature in the immediate inland.

Crystalline waters, small picturesque towns and villages evoking an important historic important past in a land settled in different periods by relevant civilisations who left relevant marks in culture, traditions, folklore and costumes are further special details  which have eternally highlighted a land kissed by mother nature which donated that bewitching place a stunning and incomparable beauty.

One of those centres which represents the pure and real identity of that scenic heaven you can not miss once you land on that beautiful island in the Tyrrhenian Sea is undoubtedly Algajola, a resort that includes all those outstanding qualities in a nutshell, introducing perfectly the marvellous face of Corsica in all its image, spirit and essence and you will notice all that in a while at first sight.

That small centre situated in a Canton called Belgodere lies at just 16,0 kilometres east from the famous and fabulous seaside resort of Calvi in a splendid bay 9,0 kilometres west of the fantastic  L´Ile Rousse, along a scenic jagged and wild coastline immediately transmitting the appealing charm of that sunny and stupendous Eden.
 
Furthermore as great detail to take in extreme consideration is the great strategic geographic position of Algajola which is an additional incentive and invitation to know many other sites easily reachable able to donate every visitor unique feelings and sensations in a Paradise surrounded by an unforgettable and magic aura with many chances to admire fantastic attractions in its immediate vicinity.

The most important cities of Bastia located at approximately 77,0 kilometres of distance and the capital Ajaccio situated 150,0 kilometres away are two great options to start an unforgettable route for their important beauty and because they are centres providing airports.

Landing on one them in a marvellous Fly & Drive you can approach that site among the most captivating and charming on the northern coastline delighted in both cases by magnificent itineraries enjoying a dreamland which will conquer you in just some minutes.

The best of  Algajola, an iconic former historic old Genoese stronghold during the golden ages of that emblematic Marine Republic of Liguria apart its fabulous maritime scenery, magnificent beaches and stunning sights of a magnetic and mesmerising horizon is also highlighted by a great preservation of its environment fantastically combined with its ancient history visible with some relevant monuments established in its territory which add a very special appeal to a wonderful scenery.

One of them is its legendary fortress located next to a splendid waterfront above scenic cliffs evoking the old attempts of attacks that stronghold suffered for a long time since its elevation and that presence apart to be an emblematic landmark for those events is greatly inserted in a magnificent post card in which nature, sea and architecture are superb protagonists.

That tiny municipality of a bit more than 300 official inhabitants lies immediately behind its splendid marina highlighted by charming gentle hills in a territory packed by rugged rocky spurs, picturesque olive groves, virgin forests, pleasant verdant plateaus which form all together a marvellous natural setting and frame in its immediate interior exalting furthermore the fascinating image of that enchanting seaside resort.

A further stunning attraction is certainly that spectacular festival of radiant colours in which the green of the local vegetation, the light brown and ochre tonalities of its soil and heights are melted with the light blue of the Mediterranean immediately beneath them and all that in just a word is Corsica in all its divine splendour.

Very famous today to be a pretty demanded destination for windsurfing and beloved heaven for diving, sailing and snorkeling lovers, many people fell in love with those unforgettable and splendid turquoise waters lining a coastal stretch very varied with splendid straights alternated to stupendous inlets and beautiful secluded coves appearing as for enchantment surprising many tourists for their immense fascination.

An additional aspect to take in high consideration is also that place offers the brilliant chance to choose sandy and pebbled beaches enjoying a multitude of magnificent  soft golden sand sections but at short distance others equally attractive covered by gravel, pebbles with scattered rocks on their surfaces, some of them situated in spectacular small natural bays not visible because hidden by imposing rocky walls.

Also those diverse options certainly delight everyone with the opportunity during a stay to move on a different coastal environment enjoying an ample variety of scenic and panoramic realities and including the sensations are different transmitting in just some seconds you are in a very special land.

Another great quality of Algajola is its wonderful and peaceful environment making it a sort of Eden, a place which attracts many tourists who want to  return there once again because also for that it is undoubtedly a site so very difficult to forget.

The facilities which that beautiful site and the surroundings provide are many such as good Hotels, the airport of Calvi is just 15 minutes away driving and all the most important splendid beaches are very close to the centre and the accommodations, undoubtedly another very positive aspect extremely loved by all the tourists enchanted by those comfortable options without a continuous use of the car or long walks.

You can also find many good restaurants offering a cuisine more than exquisite, in that area several are the chance to enjoy stunning radial excursions in the wild interior something you can not miss discovering an immense historic patrimony and a scenery which could be immortalised without hesitations by talented landscape painters or scene of an intriguing novel in a very picturesque environment.

Many are the opportunities apart obviously waters sports and cultural tourism also to practise trekking, hiking, cycling on road, mountain bike, horse riding or simply exploring in relaxing walks visiting and discovering many attractive and remote hamlets perched on attractive hills and surrounded by typical Mediterranean vegetation.

All the territory will transmit you the true, genuine and fascinating essence of Corsica also embraced by a sort of mystical aura which captures everybody because so alive and marked including in the most remote hidden corners.

Thanks to all that and much more the Tourism Industry is nowadays the main local resource which replaced since a long time ago fishing which was after the fall of the Marine Republic of Genoa former ruler of that Tyrrhenian island the main local activity despite it continues today with some locals but with a business much less productive than in the past.

The ancient history of that Mediterranean gem is confirmed according to archaeological excavations in all the area of Calvi and Balagne coast including in the nearest inland with the finding of several artifacts which after a meticulous analysis of determined items and rests affirmed that the land was inhabited since the prehistoric era.

The current resort was originally also a Phoenician settlement and its name probably derives by those iconic settlers who created one of the most important civilisations all time reaching with their expeditions from the Middle East  also Corsica the Southern French coastline.

 

According to historic information all that is linked to the denomination Argha left by those colonists who founded a small centre with a flourishing trade harbour to expand also there busy maritime traffics especially towards the surroundings of  Massalia, the current Marseille founded by the Greeks in 600 BC.

Explored later by Hellenic navigators who inherited the activities with a sort of routes logbook by those relevant predecessors and colonised by the Roman Empire for long time the history of Algajola during the long times lived under rule of the Imperial Rome continued to be an active dock with pretty important commercial relationships with the continental Europe. 

The Roman fleets used that settlement as a relevant maritime point of connection to the French, Ligurian and Tuscan coasts and including with the Tuscan Archipelago formed by the beautiful Isola D´Elba and the other small islands facing the coastline of Livorno, once cradle of the iconic Etruscan civilisation.

After the fall of Rome started a continuous tense cycle highlighted by many invasions and incursions in the 5th century by Vandals, Ostrogoths, Moors, Saracens and Berber pirates, the  coast of Algajola was constantly ravaged becoming a pretty unsafe place with the local population escaping on the nearest hills which were during those times an obliged refuge to survive.

The events during that period were constantly highlighted by daily looting and assaults including with the deportation of locals as slaves same situation lived in those times in Sardinia, Balearic Islands and the Catalan coastline in a period in which the current centre was known as Gabiola or also L' Arpagiola, part of the Parish of Aregno.

The powerful Marine Republic of Genoa which took that land under its protection made it one of its strongholds and the Superba, the superb as it was nicknamed that city of Liguria  was absolutely the most important ruler in the course of the history of Algajola giving it a relevant development  and not only for the establishment of a strategic military base.

The Genoese Doges created a solid structural profile and a community which highlighted an active social life, a political identity and there were notable arrangements in terms of communication of roads linking the coastal territory to the interior towards Belgodere and Palasca and in addition started a flourishing trade activity with the Ligurian motherland. All that left deep cultural roots visible in many aspects, such as architecture, traditions, gastronomy, costumes and also language.

During the times of that glorious Marine Republic the current municipality also became a considerable harbour, refuge of fleets and merchant ships and furthermore it was elevated as important administrative headquarter transformed in the capital of the province of Balagne many years before than the advent of the bigger and famous nearest town of Calvi.

Genoa in that period was always in constant alert due to the movements of the other Italian Marine Republics such as Venice, Pisa and Amalfi and including often facing in several battles by sea the powerful Ottoman Empire for the conquest of spaces, strategic lands and positions for the leadership in the Mediterranean Sea.

Algajola was several times attacked in the 17th century by the Turkish fleet which started a long siege of many coastal villages of Corsica, Sardinia and Majorca re-taking the same operations of the Saracens in search of new slaves considering those territories on islands pretty far from the continental mainland more vulnerable than the fortified coasts close to the capitals of those Italic Republics.

 Despite all that the former Genoese bastion assaulted by that powerful enemy in many occasions and especially devastated in an attack dated 1643 as a miracle it always heroically resisted to the raids of that big Empire and never that stronghold despite suffered several damages was conquered by the Turks.

In  1664 the Genoese Doge decided to fortify the castle which was until 1764 the official residence of the Lieutenant in a period in which Algajola became part of the Pieve di Regino, one of the three Parishes existing in that time in a valley with the same name.

The 18th century was highlighted by a new historic stage which marked the destiny of Corsica and Algajola consisting in the times of the famous rebellion and revolt of the locals against Genoa. 

In the meantime France wanted to expand its colonies and domains in the Mediterranean after the defeat against England in America when it lost almost all its transoceanic territories.

French Diplomats and Ambassadors started during several meetings to convince the Doge of Genoa to host French  troops in the island with the promise to support that Italic Republic against the Corsican rebels with a promise of a good alliance offering Genoa the hope to return to relive the beloved golden ages once again.

The Ligurian rulers in occasion of that pact in change had to pay accommodation, food and transports to the the French Army receiving all around the territory military support permitting the use of all  the ports of the island with the placement of artillery and camps and that was originally the treaty.  

The result of those agreements and operations of partnership had another fate and Genoa came out from that situation in a sort of bankrupt caused by enormous costs corresponding to pay thousands of soldiers for a campaign which endured more than expected for the strong Corsican popular resistance.

After that France proposed to the Genoese Governors to sign another treaty with an invitation to leave Corsica without conditions and with a kind of covenant which provided a non future aggression or intrusions in other domains of that Marine Republic.

  Algajola was in those times one of the most relevant bases and focal points of those events directly living all that with protagonist Pasquale Paoli ,a local hero named U Babbu di a Patria, a nickname that in local language translated means the Dad of the motherland, leader of the revolt and local condottiere of several battles against Genoa's  army and also since the beginning of the occupation a declared enemy of France. 

After unsuccessful attempts to conquer with his partisans the island totally occupied by the troops of the enemy, Paoli escaped to Tuscany and later he reached London to avoid being captured by the French Government and to be sentenced in France.

Legends, narrations or real stories are linked to that event with different suppositions as one that tells the Corsican leader left his homeland in a top secret operation transported to the Tuscan coast by a Genoese vessel starting the trip in proximity of Algajola, an action which was as sort of vengeance for those famous treaties which had a sad destiny for Genoa losing all its influence in Corsica although there are other versions.

The island for brief periods had other rulers including for a short time related to an Anglo-Corsican alliance with British troops landing in its territory and also happened with the Spaniards during the Kingdom led by the House of Bourbon in that time rulers of the Kingdom of the two Sicilies but despite all that the land always returned under French domain.

The centre of the town is arranged between its charming harbour and Avenue Algajola which runs from west to east crossing the entire municipality practically parallel to the pretty long Avenue Cocani corresponding to to the National Road N197.

South of the centre starts Chemin de Santa Lucia, the main street connecting the core of the resort to the western side of the local boundaries while Chemin du Camporosso is a street situated in the southern municipal territory consisting in the limit of the heart of Algajola as a belt linked to Chemin du Cimetière and along that artery you can directly return to the core close to the bay.

The fortress of Algajola is undoubtedly one of the main local relevant highlights and landmarks for its considerable historic value and for all what it represented, elevated for its emblematic defencive role as a local icon.

Called by locals U Castellu, the Castle, it is one of the emblematic symbols of the town, erected in the 16th century on the rests of a tower called Torre dei Lomellini, a building which was originally a property of an aristocrat Genoese family with that surname, a structure which since its construction elevated  the current seaside resort as an an important military headquarter of the powerful Marine Republic of Genoa becoming in addition the official residence of the governor.

The Ligurian rulers ordered to build a fortified citadel with high and strong walls on the shore of the Mediterranean and furthermore was also elevated an imposing cylindrical defencive element established on a hexagonal plan next to a majestic crenellated tower dominating the entire structure with a wide view overlooking the Tyrrhenian sea.

That imposing construction presents some arched windows directly watching the sea and others established on the opposite side, including some were placed in the interior of the fortress and you will notice the sharp angle of the strong walls and the imposing walled perimeter giving that site an aspect of a very impenetrable stronghold.

The architects and military engineers projected and erected that structure in a special position along the coast in a concrete point practically inaccessible by the enemy coming by sea due to the presence of several cliffs immediately beneath that high fortified section established on the shore of the Mediterranean and in that way the landing of vessels was practically impossible.

The Castellu for its historic value was declared Historic Patrimony by French Government on 15th July 1965 and it is one of the most notable historic military complexes erected along the entire Northern coastline of Corsica boasting a relevant and significant prestige for all the historic and legendary defences which characterised many stages of that emblematic bastion since its elevation.

Continuing your visit in Algajola Marina you can see a small chapel called  Chapelle de Saint-Michel. That shrine dedicated to St. Michael is a very simple and sober small Chapel  erected in the 12th century on rectangular plan next to the sea.

Restored several times it has today partially recuperated its former medieval aspect with a very austere facade completed by a rectangular portal flanked on both sides by square windows surmounted by another one with a semi circular shape beneath a gable roof on which was established a small belfry.

The local Parish Church, the Eglise de Saint-Georges, is another historic local monument  younger than the previous because it was erected three century later in the 15th century and integrated in the defencive system of the town.

That Religious building dedicated to Saint George was largely restored in different occasions especially in the 17th century after the attacks of the Ottomans, events which severely damaged the entire structure largely burned with the major part of the walls in disrepair and a laborious operation took place in 1618 when it was totally remodelled.

Conserving an original square bell tower, it was erected on a big rectangular base it has an ample light facade and a main nave with a rectangular door surmounted by an ample lunette. The layout despite a bit austere is well balanced and defined by marked lines around all the architectural elements with the central section of the main body subdivided by big columns attached to the front side and on the top beneath a sloping roof was fixed a wide circular clock.

In the interior you can admire an organ in ebony dated the 18th century and a relevant painting by Italian school depicting the Descent of Jesus Christ from the Cross dating back the 17th century owned by the commune council.

The seaside resort offers a wide selection of small and medium beaches along its local coast and relaxing promenades which are another special attraction delighting every visitor with that salubrious sea breeze so sweet and regenerating.

Along Avenue Marina you can enjoy a beautiful sea view during a long pleasant walk while from Avenue Algajola which is also the main access to the castle starts another splendid stretch  with beaches leading to the area where you can find the major part of the Hotels and also to the railway station in proximity of the Camping de la Plage in the boundaries of the nearest municipality of Aregno.

Do not miss to visit the stunning  Punta San Damiano a wide and spectacular promontory situated at approximately 1,5 kilometres from the centre. The easier access to that marvellous headland is taking Avenue du Port, Port Road which is like a ring connecting the northern area of the resort to its southern side and directly leading to that wonderful and striking  peninsula.

Once reached that scenic headland you can enjoy unforgettable panoramic sights and from its extreme northeast point you can have a fantastic view of Marine de Sant ´Ambrogio,  Calvi Marina and the  enchanting bay of that fascinating nearest town.

Very suggested is also a walk on its southeastern side in opposite direction of the harbour to admire a fantastic succession of stunning inlets and wild coves of extreme beauty and also that is a great corner representing a marvellous image showing you all the radiant fascination of the most enchanting Corsica. 

That place is also a historic site of immense value because in that concrete point the ancient Romans built their former  official port and where the small river Tepina ends its course embracing the Mediterranean forming a very pleasant image.

Despite it was abandoned in the 6th century and the activities returned to be operative six centuries later with also the elevation of a defencive tower in its proximity, in its kind it is a sort of icon because during the period under Roman rule were developed from its banks the first busy operations linking Algajola to the continental Europe and in 1620 it became the second port of the entire Corsica.

The coast in that specific corner is absolutely  wonderful furthermore highlighted by the presence of a wild and splendid beach called San Damiano and a small fishing harbour established centuries ago still in activity considered for date and historic relevance the most important local fishing hub despite it is not very busy as in the past.

Another of the most attractive view points to admire the beauty of that stupendous, radiant coastal stretch is Punta di Varcale situated north of the inhabited centre at a short distance from the historic core of the resort. It is an ample promontory situated between two bays and from there you can have a magnificent view on Punta San Damiano and the harbour. 

Situated approximately 6,0 kilometres from the resort delighted by the view of a splendid gulf I suggest you reach Aregno and in some minutes driving you will admire that small centre boasting another great beach pretty loved by many windsurfers.

It is approximately 900,0 metres long and it is one of the marvels of that corner of Corsica for its colour and preserved natural environment and its proximity there are two camping, la Plage and A Marina. 

Despite it increased its popularity as holiday resort with the construction of some new accommodations that small centre conserved the charming and picturesque aspect of the past with its scenic agglomeration of houses perched between two beautiful hills.

 

The core of Aregno is not far from the coastline and it is one of the first captivating sites in the immediate inland at a very short distance from the marina. That area is rich of olive groves and citrons and it is also a good start point for trekkers and cyclists towards the interior reaching remote villages of extreme beauty.

That small municipality also has a relevant historic past to narrate because it was an important headquarter of the legions of the Roman divisions of the Emperor Vespasian, occupied for a brief period by the Saracens in the Middle Ages before to be reconquered by the noble Guido Savelli in the 9th century who immediately after that victorious battle received the title of Count of Balagne.

From there you can also reach the small but charming centre of Corbara, famous for its Burgu, an enchanting medieval borough perched on a stupendous sinuous hilly crest simply stunning for the image it offers.

 It is a very recommended site to immortalise in many pictures at sunset for the radiant colours generated by the sun rays falling on that verdant hill, the light local houses and the high bell tower of the Eglise Collegiale A Nunziata, a beautiful Baroque Church erected between the 17th and 18th centuries declared in 1985 Historic Monument.

In the immediate surroundings of Algajola you can enjoy several excursions day by day during your stay in the spectacular interior with a multitude of fascinating tiny villages nestled on poetic hills surrounded by a striking natural environment such as Monticello, Santa Reparata di Balagna, Pigna, Lumia and Sant´Antonino among others.

 

Each of them will show you the real and captivating rural face of the beautiful Corsica all to discover metre by metre also in those tiny but stunning realities because that island also thanks to those tiny marvels is like an endless treasure where you find a jewel and immediately after appear many others scattered gems everywhere.

A great feature highly appreciated by many visitors is the short distance from the coast to wild forests and gentle picturesque hills and once reaching those summits you will admire many places which seems almost unexplored showing all their charm with inspiring colours and contrasts.

That is another secret of that island moving from the ravishing Mediterranean to an unspoiled and intact interior a further captivating incentive to admire how in just a few of kilometres the territory has great mutations as for enchantment.

  

The delicious cuisine of Corsica has a strong Italian influence in particular for its long historic links with Genoa and Liguria but also for its proximity crossing the Tyrrhenian sea to Tuscany. 

As in Italy you can taste and appreciate there a local exquisite Lasagna and the typical Pulenda, a sort of polenta prepared with chestnut flour as ingredient also common in some Tuscan provinces.A delicious product often presents in the Corsican tables are the delicious mullets particularly delectable grilled next to excellent and always fresh seafood with superb mussels, prawns, squid and clams among others.

Worth a special mention the supreme lobster of high quality, try the local delicious sardines and do not miss the iconic Aziminu, a very popular plate consisting is a tastefully fish soup with some affinities linked to the famous French Bouillabaisse or also to the Livornese Caciucco prepared with different kinds of fish such as sea bass, sea bream, lobster, tub gurnard, merlangus among others. 

To all that quantity of sea delights that rich recipe is completed by salt, pepper, olive oil and herbs and as further operation in the process of preparation there is an addition of fish stock and Pastis, a typical anise liquor very aromatic and pretty strong with a gradation of over 40º.

Very appreciated are also some local sausages as the Salamu de Quenza, an exquisite salami produced in the hilly area. With a notable fame is the Prisuttu de Niolo, an excellent ham with a very delicious taste often inserted in starters with the previous and superb on a toasted bread seasoned by salt, extra virgin olive oil and a touch of black pepper. You can also taste the exquisite  Lonzu, a famous product consisting in a cured meat very tastefully often served in snacks, appetisers or in assorted starters.

The Stufatu Corsu is a gastronomic icon in the local culinary panorama and it is a sort of pie with an affinity to a lasagna prepared with pasta, tomato sauce adding minced pork and beef meats smoked ham, salt, garlic, onion, adding to all that cheese, a touch of red wine and cooked very slow in the oven.

Notable is the wide variety of cheeses, really excellent is the Pecurinu Corsu, it is a sheep cheese of excellent reputation while another one pretty suggested is A Filetta, very tastefully and often served with a typical leaf of fern, symbol of Corsica Identity. Another of relevant fame is the Brocciu also indicated to accompany pasta, used for lasagna and including as ingredient for omelets, melted over vegetables or au gratin covering other gastronomic specialities.

Worth a mention the Migliacciu, a very a traditional plate containing some of those cheeses as main base, it is a kind of a pie prepared combining those dairy products with milk, salt, pepper, flour, eggs and ended the process of preparation baked in the oven.

About cakes try the typical Canistrelli, sweet biscuits prepared with wine and liquor as anise but you can find other variants with lemon or made with walnuts while the Fiadone is a typical dessert prepared with the mentioned Brocciu cheese, lemon, sugar and eggs.Very common and particularly appreciated is the Pastizzu containing as main ingredients milk, butter, sugar, eggs and stale bread. 

A product presents in large quantity in the interior is the chestnut which is also a usual  ingredient used to prepare several cakes, flans and many bakery products.

 

About local wines, Corsica is pure divine tradition with products of high quality thanks to a mild climate which has always favoured since many centuries ago the cultivation of sublime and excellent grapes. The vineyards planted at a right and ideal altitude on that hilly land receive the mild and benign Mediterranean breeze which perfectly combined with an appropriate subsoil has always produced wines of great level.

Very recommended selected wines are Calvi, Figari, Portovecchio, Sartène and as in the nearest Sardinia there are Vermentino grapes producing a very fine wine.Very appreciated for their savoury taste ,body and colour are the reds, you can find a large variety, some very smooth, others aromatic and a bit lighter, further robust with a great body and texture but all them very palatable and versatile.

If you love sweet wines you can taste a great Moscato di Capo Corso, a local Muscat boasting a notable reputation.

Calvi Sainte-Catherine Airport is the nearest airport situated at just 15,0 kilometres south of the resort and driving by National Road N197 you will be at destination in a very short time. As further options as previously mentioned the airports of Ajaccio and Bastia have a major traffic and a larger operating flights, in that case they can be excellent alternatives for a stunning Fly & Drive.I added below some links for your plans with some suggested accommodations.

Algajola is a destination simply great for many people, water sport lovers but also very indicated for romantic couples who want to wake up in a sunny morning enjoying splendid radiant sunrises and ending the day with a marvellous sunset over the Mediterranean admiring those unique colours that land shows all year with its immense beauty.

That seaside resort is very suggested also for all tourists who love to alternate different kinds of activities, families with children for its mild climate and peaceful corners and for those who desire to admire a stupendous corner of a radiant Mediterranean island in which the sea and the inland were created as an inseparable combination living in a sort of everlasting happy marriage and that is one of the great secrets of that stupendous place called Corsica.

If you are planning to visit that wonderful island, that resort is highly recommended, the incoming services work very well, the operators are very professional and kind and that land will show you a series of jewels in a big coffer all to discover, Algajola  is one of them always shining and magnificent.

Francesco Mari

Recommended Hotels in Algajola

Hotel Serenada

Hotel Beau Rivage

Hotel De la Plage Les Arcades

Hotel Club Pascal Paoli

Recommended Restaurants in Algajola

Restaurant Le Padula

Restaurant U Castellu

Restaurant U Culombu

Restaurant La Vieille Cave

Useful Links

www.france-voyage.com/cities-towns/algajola-9298/tourist-office-algajola-7739.htm

www.visit-corsica.com

www.hotelserenada-algajola.com

www.hotel-beau-rivage.com

www.hotelalgajola.com

www.hotel-pascal-paoli.fr