After Rogliano the diligence crosses the Cols S. Anne, Cappiaja and S. Nicholas, and [arrives at Botticella] 31 m., and then proceeds to [Ersa] with inn, near the top of the [Col de Serra] 1182 ft., commanding a good view of Cap Corse. Shortly afterwards the diligence arrives at [Morsaglia], called also [Pecorile], a village composed of groups of houses like Rogliano on the side of a hill. The conductor of the diligence will show the hotel. Six miles S. from Morsaglia is [Pino], see [p. 12].
From Botticella a road leads 4½ m. N. to [Barcaggio], opposite the [island of Giraglia], on which is a first-class lighthouse, 269 feet above the sea, seen within a radius of 14 m.
From Morsaglia the road is continued 31 m. farther to the [Col S. Bernardino] on the Bastia and St. Florent road, passing Pino, 25 m. from the Col S. Bernardino; Minerbio, 21½ m.; Marinca, 16 m.; [Nonza], 9 m.; Farinole, 2½ m.; Pont du Patrimonio, 1¼ m.; and joins the Bastia road at the Col S. Bernardino, 11¼ m. W. from Bastia.
[ Bastia to Calvi.]
57 miles west; time 12 hours; fare 13 and 10 frs.
BASTIA
CALVI 57 BASTIA. The road traverses a mountainous country, with scanty vegetation. As far as St. Florent the prevailing rocks are micaceous and beyond granitic. Immediately after leaving Bastia the diligence commences the ascent of the Col de Teghime (1785 feet) in the Serra di Pigno, discovering as it winds its way upwards, an ever-extending panorama over the great eastern plain, including Lake Biguglia, and the Mediterranean with the islands of Elba, Gorgona and Monte Christo. As the road descends towards the western shore, the enchanting panorama of the blue gulf of St. Florent, encircled by low reddish rocks, gradually unfolds itself. It was at this road, made by Count Marbœuf, at which, it is said, King Bernadotte worked among the other labourers. It passes the hamlets of Barbaggio and Patrimonio, the Col St. Bernardino 11¼ m. from Bastia, and the Pont des Strette, and enters the valley of Nebbio, partly watered by the sluggish Aliso, flowing through a marsh crowded with oleanders.
BASTIA
CALVI 14¼ 42¾ ST. FLORENT, pop. 760. Hôtel de l’Europe, where a hurried breakfast can be had while the horses are being changed. Close to the village is the site of the ancient town of Nebbio, occupied now by a few poor houses and a small church, now a ruin, built in the 12th century. Napoleon said, “St. Florent has one of the finest situations I have ever seen. It lies most favourably for commerce, its landing
places are safe and its roads can accommodate large fleets. I should have built there a large and beautiful city.” It was one of the first places to give adherence to the Bank of Genoa.