Our history
L'Alta Roccadestination sea and mountainThe region offers a wide variety of landscapes for those travelling through the 18 communes that make up its administrative territory. In less than an hour's drive, you can go from heavenly beaches between Conca and Solenzara to the heights of Bavella, ending up in the heart of the authentic villages from the inside. Plenitude, serenity and sincerity make the Alta Rocca a region that represents the very essence of the Alps.Essentials of Corsica.
With 9,000 years of history, this paradise of nature is one of the oldest populated areas of Corsica. Many archaeological sites still bear witness to the human presence and the Museums of the Alta Rocca to relive some of its most memorable moments.
The different levels of the landscape have always been home to pastoralism, which has shaped the character, the way of life and the quality of life of the people who live there. culture, l'craftsthe gastronomy, that still make up the richness of the Alta Rocca today. The lives and work of the inhabitants have shaped the geographical and administrative territory that we present to you here, from the "Haute Roche" to the coastline of south-east Corsica.
The Alta Rocca, situated in the southern Corsicahas a history deeply rooted in human development, beginning in the Mesolithic with nomadic groups (9,000 BC), who lived by hunting and gathering. At Neolithic (6000 BC), the region evolved with the introduction of agriculture, livestock farming and sedentary housing. Clay tools and pottery were developed, and trade was established with the Sardinia for materials such as obsidian. The megalithism is also beginning to appear.
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Go back in time
At theBronze Age (-2000), the region experienced tensions marked by the construction of casteddi (fortified sites) and menhirs representing warrior chiefs, while the first local elites emerged. They controlled resources, particularly metal, and developed maritime trade networks with neighbouring regions for tin and copper. Sites such as Cucuruzzu and AraghjuToday, the casteddi, which are open to visitors, illustrate these defence and living structures.
During theIron Age (800 BC), villages became the central structures, with populations adopting a relatively self-sufficient lifestyle while maintaining exchanges with the rest of the world. Sardinia and Etruria. The Greeks, Etruscans and Romans gradually influenced the region until the island was conquered by the Romans in the 3rd century BC.
Under the Middle Agesthe Alta Rocca is a land of castles (the famous 'casteddi') and isolated villages, home to lords like Rinucciu della Rocca. When the Genoese came to power, they destroyed the feudal strongholds and established their authority, although barbarian raids frequently disrupted the region. It wasn't until the 17th century that a lasting peace was established.
L'modern times makes the Alta Rocca a region that is essentially ruralThe region's history is rooted in agriculture and handicrafts. In the twentieth century, the rural exodus, the world wars and the development of tourism transformed the landscape and society, enabling the region to reinvent itself while remaining proud of its historical and cultural heritage.
Today, its history and development can be seen on tourist maps, on interpretation panels and in museums. In every village corner, at the bend in the road, in the heart of a seaside village, under the cover of a forest.
One region, a thousand landscapes
The Alta Rocca, literally "High Rock" or "Haute Roche", is a land of medium mountain dominated by three imposing massifs: Bavella, the Ospedale and the Cuscionu plateau. This region of spectacular landscapes invites you to an unforgettable discovery of authentic Corsica, where history blends with unspoilt nature.
The Rizzanese river flows through the region. It rises in the high mountains of the Alta Rocca and flows through the region, providing every village with the water it needs, along with its tributaries. Visit diversity of landscapes The flora and fauna of this region is exceptionally rich. With its many hiking trailsThe Alta Rocca offers total immersion in an unspoilt natural setting, ideal for lovers of nature. nature and the adventure. This region, which is now open to tourism, still retains a character of its own. wild and authentica witness to a thousand years of history.
The architecture reflects the history of the regionThe villages are often nestled on promontories. The villages are often nestled on promontories and made up of tall granite houses squeezed along the streets for better protection. During your walksyou'll discover heritage treasures fountains, bread ovens, mills and wash-houses, all of which can be seen along the "heritage trails criss-crossing the region. These places are all invitations to understand the life of yesteryear, in this region deeply rooted in its history. traditions.
The Alta Rocca is also a paradise for lovers of outdoor activities, where hiking, climbing and canyoning are combined with the discovery of an incomparable natural setting.
The municipality of Zonza Santa Luciaone of the largest in Corsica at 134 km², offers an exceptional setting representing the very essence of the Alta Rocca, and the geographical and cultural marriage of the sea and mountains. This majestic territory, stretching from the mid-mountains to the south-east of the island's coastline via the Bavella Massif and the Cavu Valley invites you to explore the region's varied heritage and natural treasures.