|
|
 Log in |
Register
|
|
 Head To Head The Modern Antiquarian General Discussion Forum | Start a topic | Search |
 Re: Filitosa, Corsica 3 messages | Select a forum: |
| Filitosa is a fantastic ritual site. We visited earlier this year whilst on holiday in Corsica. At the entrance to the site there is a small museum, giving a taste of the history and the fantastic carvings soon to be seen. The path from the museum firstly goes by a statue menhir known as Filitosa V, thought to be the best carved menhir on Corsica. It clearly shows the statue holding a sword and dagger The path contines down the hill, then through an olive grove, through several rock shelters, to the central monument, which is guarded by six statue menhirs. An incredibly beautiful place, with a magnificent view accross the monument to the semi-circle down on the plain. We spent a long time up there taking photos of all the structures and the menhirs. Terry, my partner, devised a clever way to photograph the faces, using side lighting with his flash gun. The statues are amazing by daylight, but these photos really do make the faces come to life. Each face is slightly different, and feels like it has its own independant spirit. We were quite surprised by the phallic carving of the menhirs when viewed from behind. My guide book had warned that the statues were phallic, and possibly were in part fertility symbols, but I had been unprepared for the stones in actuallity! The next monument/temple is equally fasinating. It lies under a naturally carved 30m tall rock, the passages, and tiny rooms cluster around its base. When view from below, this natural stone is also quite phallic. The path then goes down the side of the hill, crosses a small stream, and the semi-circle of five menhirs, first seen from above, begins to come into view. The five menhirs form a semi circle around an ancient olive tree. The statues are quite imposing, staring out over the valley to the temples, so recently visited. They feel like guardians, perhaps guarding the quarry behind them. The tallest and most slender statue must be at least 11' high. I wish I had been able to spend more time there, and I would love to go back and really experience the site on a more connected level. I had under-estimated the amount of time to spend there. I didn't realise that the owners do not shut the museum, and once payment is made you are free to stay there until dark. It would have been great to stay and see the sunset. But we still had to pitch our tent, and we didn't even know where we were camping. So we had to leave. Reply | with quote | Posted by nicoladidsbury 11th January 2005ce 23:50 In reply to: Filitosa, Corsica (Singe) |
Messages in this topic: |
|
