Siege of Calvi ,Corsica..
By bloomer
43 comments
No,not by Nelson in 1794,where he lost an eye in the Battle,but us two, and hundreds of others,via tenders from our Cruise ship on one of our days ashore…
The battle was suggested by a Corsican Nationalist General,to the British,to help them get rid of the French in the Garrisons,and in return,they would be allowed to base their fleet there, to sail to other ports,.and wreak havoc somewhere else within easy distance.
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This was a first visit to this part of Corsica,in the North west of the Island,and in our eyes ,the most interesting,scenic, and historical town,of the Island..Such a wonderful place,so I hope you enjoy the visit..
Firstly,the view that greeted us from the ship..and yes,we ARE going to climb up to the.Citadel,..! built in the 13th Century..Please bear with me..it’s quite a long one..:o)
A monument to C.Columbus in the square,who resided here.It is claimed to be his birthplace,but as he was Genoese,there is also a memorial statue to him in Genoa too..so who knows !
Right,off we go..comfy shoes? you will need them !
Just before the climb,was this beautiful statue ,as a memorial to all the Maritime division,who lost their lives in battle..Me on the right in awe of the size of it..It certainly made you stop and contemplate..
Through the entrance to the Citadel..
C.Columbus..on the rocks :o)Said to be where the house was,where he was born. demolished by the British,so a memorial plaque has been placed there.
Taking a breather,about half way up….
I was under this tree ! :o)
Remember the shoes? This is why..It was like this for the rest of the way.It does warn that it is unsuitable for people with limited mobility…We could have taken a shorter easier route,but we saved that for coming back down !
At last,here we are,at the highest point of the promontory This beautiful Cathedral.It was founded in the13th Century,in a classical Baroque style,but was partly destroyed during the Turkish siege of 1553..
Obviously,lovingly restored..
A beautiful glass dome in the roof ..I almost went over backwards,trying to get a shot ! Lol..
A wooden pulpit,from 1752
Looking around the rest of the area now..People still live up here,but as you can see,a lot are looking quite derelict..and there are a few small restaurants dotted along the road down,which is where we are heading now..the easy way :o)
We are now back in the lower part of the City..I reckon I deserved this :o)
Quaint shops and narrow streets..
Time for a Coffee,next to this beautiful 13th century Church of Sainte Marie..now used mainly for Funerals.It was built on the site of the first Basilica of the lower city,in the 6th century..
Chilling out by the Harbour..
A last look at the lovely backdrop..The beige square building at the top left of the upper city,is the Governer’s palace,I believe,and served at the time .as the main residence for the Genoese Governer.It is now used for military purposes,therefore closed to the public..
I hope you enjoy it as much as we loved being there..sorry it’s so long,but there was so much to see,and I didn’t want to leave anything out..I hope we can visit again someday..
- 14 Oct, 2014
- 15 likes
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Comments
Thank you Terra..I think much longer than it took you to lay yours ! Lol x
14 Oct, 2014
It didn't seem a long blog at all! I enjoyed it very much!
14 Oct, 2014
Superb blog which really got across the atmosphere and feel of this part of Corsica. You took some really lovely photos and it was so interesting.
14 Oct, 2014
Lovely blog Sandra, and great to see Calvi . . . thank you for taking the trouble to share your photos :) We've not been so far north on Corsica but love the west coast: it certainly lives up to its name "isle of beauty"!
14 Oct, 2014
Have not seen pics of Corsica before, so thank you! Most interesting. Galling to think I would have been on the "limited mobility list" I'm glad you were able to do it.
14 Oct, 2014
Thank you Karen..It probably seemed longer to me,the time it took me to write it..saving,previewing,deleting pics in the wrong place etc,or captions :o) anyway,i got there in the end..glad you enjoyed it :o)
14 Oct, 2014
Chris,I'm sure it would be your kind of place.and thank you so much for your lovely comment :o) x.
14 Oct, 2014
Thank you Sheila..that is so kind of you,and it has been my pleasure..We have only called in at Ajaccio before,a couple of years ago..but I think I preferred Calvi,of the two..saying that,we went on a trip into the hills,so we didn't really see a lot of the town to be honest,,We prefer to look around on our own if possible,so this was ideal :o)
14 Oct, 2014
Thank you for taking the time to look,Sue..you could always go the easy way up and down..it isn't really as steep that way,and the steps are well spaced out....I just keep stopping a lot,but I try to avoid steep bits if possible ! I'm glad you enjoyed your first visit to this lovely Island..:o)
14 Oct, 2014
Corsica is a very beautiful and interesting place. Your photos have bought back many happy memories of times we have spent on Corsica. I hope you enjoyed your cruise.
Great photos as well.
Marjorie
14 Oct, 2014
Glad it brought back some nice memories,Marjorie..We were especially looking forward to seeing another part of the Island..and we had a wondesful weeks Cruise,thank you,followed by a lovely week in Majorca..:o)
14 Oct, 2014
Lovely blog Sandra what a beautiful place to visit, so pleased you both had such a wonderful holiday, thank you so much for sharing you took such lovely photos too, well done for trekking to the top of the Citadel - a well deserved ice cream I'd say! :o)
14 Oct, 2014
Coming back when I have time to enjoy it xxx
15 Oct, 2014
Wonderful travel blog beautifully photographed enjoyed very much.
15 Oct, 2014
Really enjoyed looking at your pictures Bloomer.
I have never been to Corsica , ....so thank you for posting.
15 Oct, 2014
Thank you H.bird..we felt refreshed,and it did us good to walk off all the lovely food on the ship ! :o)
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Thanks Neellan..pleased you enjoyed the visit.The .Icecream was yummy..Black cherry :o) I am so worth it ! Lol x
........OK Pam,see you soon :o) x
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Thank you Brian..It was a lovely setting for photo's..even I couldn't go wrong,really :o)
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Thank you Klahanie..maybe you will one day..don't pass up the chance if it's a possibility.. :o)
15 Oct, 2014
It's such a wonderfully scenic island, isn't it, with the mountains down the spine of the island tumbling down almost to the coast on the west?! When we rented a tiny cottage near Cargese (about 5 miles north of Ajaccio), we could walk across a field to a huge beach with a beach bar, and one day in pouring rain we drove into the hills and walked part of the GR long-distance path . . . couldn't do that nowadays (like you I stop a lot and avoid too many steep bits!)
Sorry about the reminiscing - just hope Corsica is still unspoilt . . .
15 Oct, 2014
We haven't seen much of the Island so far,Sheila,but as far as I can tell,it still looks unspoilt..unlike some places,especially here ! do you ever look on Trip Advisor? there are some lovely photo's of other visitors photo's..I saw some of a couple doing a really long walk on a coastal path..in the rain and wind on Christmas day,I think...not the ideal weather,but lovely scenery... I may check out some of the hotels,as I would love to stay for a holiday..I expect they will be quite pricey though..We chose this particular Cruise this year,because of the Itinerary,It's the first time we have had the option of docking outside Calvi..but now they use tenders,it was a great choice..It's usually Ajaccio,where they dock....I'm glad you had a lovely holiday to look back on..Reminiscing is a nice thing to do :o)well,almost always Lol .x
15 Oct, 2014
Hi back again and well worth the wait its a lovely interesting blog, thanks so much.
lovely to see its unspoilt, here there would sadly be chain stores and pound shops !
15 Oct, 2014
Very envious Sandra looks such a lovely old and very interesting place, love the colour of the old stone buildings against that gorgeous back drop scenery. Good to see you managed the climb up the steep streets, you did deserve that Ice Cream at the end! lovely pictures too enjoyed it all;0))
15 Oct, 2014
It looks like one of those European cities from my 6th grade history book.
15 Oct, 2014
That was wonderful Sandra. I'm out of puff lol :D but it was very interesting ......
15 Oct, 2014
Hi Pam,and thank you..It really is such a pretty place..I didn't see any of those ! all very tasteful:o)
15 Oct, 2014
Thank you Carole,I'm glad you enjoyed it..The climb up wasn't as bad as I thought..plenty of places to stop and admire on the way..That Ice Cream was very welcome :o) xx
15 Oct, 2014
I guess it does,Paul..I love History,so it was an ideal place to visit...
15 Oct, 2014
Thank you Hywel..glad you enjoyed it..I would have given you a helping hand up there :o)
15 Oct, 2014
:D
16 Oct, 2014
Really enjoyed my walk up with you Sandra and I'm not puffed in the slightest, it looks a very interesting place and the photo's are lovely, well done you, if like me when out and about you'll be stopping every few yards clicking away, thank goodness for the digital camera, would cost a fortune otherwise, as you know I am always interested in the history as well, so always appreciate the time spent adding all those bits as well.
Now I know I'm squiffy in one eye but I cannot see you anywhere under that tree, I've been back up the page a few times admiring the pics, you sure you were there!!!! LOL.
16 Oct, 2014
We are the same as regards the history of places we visit,Sue..Not much point otherwise,without some explanation..I'm glad you enjoyed this part of Corsica..I really was under that tree,only a bit further back,as I wanted the lovely tree to frame the picture..it would have just been the walls if I hadn't ..a bit boring on their own,I think :o) I have a squiffy eye too,well both really..but I just point and click,and hope for the best ! Lol..I've taken some very iffy ones too..all deleted ! ha ha ..Thank you for looking .I'm pleased you enjoyed it :o)
16 Oct, 2014
I'm so glad you did just 'Point and Click' Sandra ... this was a delight to scroll through ... so pleased you both had a relaxing holiday. :o)
17 Oct, 2014
Thank you Shirley..glad you approve of my haphazard photo' skills':o) Most pics were taken here,but still took some in Sorrento,and around the hotel in Majorca..Smashing holiday,and very relaxing..even the climb wasn't as bad as thought ! Lol xx
17 Oct, 2014
What a pleasure to visit this area, without me leaving the country, looks such an interesting and clean? part of the world, thanks for the blog and the inspiring photos.....so pleased you enjoyed your holiday.
18 Oct, 2014
Thank you Angela..We didn't expect it to be as lovely as this,and you are correct,everything is so clean..most places are abroad,as they know what rubbish bins are for ! Hardly any fast food shops either,just the odd Burger shop,so that makes a huge difference....you know,..the one that is almost everywhere ! It was over all too soon..sigh :o( x
19 Oct, 2014
That is the trouble with holidays always over so quickly......
21 Oct, 2014
I know,Angela..been back almost a month already ! :o(
21 Oct, 2014
Beautiful photos Sandra I could almost feel the hot sun beating down on the buildings, I'm glad you enjoyed it but how could you not in such an interesting place full of history and charm . Thanks for showing a good place I'm thinking to pop up and surprise you Lol .. xxx
17 Nov, 2014
Thanks Amy..it really is a lovely place..one of the nicest we have visited I think..and about surprising me..you and Tony would be welcome anytime..you already have my address ! just give me time to look decent ! Lol xxx
17 Nov, 2014
Thanks Sandra ,as to you looking decent I'm going to pop in to surprise you when you have your curlers in LOL...
17 Nov, 2014
Lol,Amy..my hair is too short for Rollers..will pin curls do? now that's a blast from the past ! :o) I could wear a headscarf to complete the 60's look ..ha ha.
18 Nov, 2014
what a great place San :-)))
14 Dec, 2014
Thank you Junna..I would love to revisit someday..one of those places you never forget :o) xx
14 Dec, 2014
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Interesting blog .... lovely photos, Sandra ... I wonder how long it took to lay all those cobbles !
14 Oct, 2014