Figari history

Ancient Roots and Settlement Features

Unlike cities established as a single fortified center by royal decree, Figari historically formed as a conglomerate of scattered hamlets and small villages. Human presence in this part of Corsica can be traced back to ancient times, long before the appearance of modern borders.

• Megalithic Era: Dolmens and menhirs have been preserved within the commune and its surroundings, testifying that this plain was inhabited and held sacred significance as early as the Neolithic era.
• Roman Traces: Archaeological data indicate active agricultural activity in this area during the Roman Empire, when local lands were already being used for cultivating crops.

Development Factors and Geography

The development of Figari was defined by its specific landscape. It is a vast plain in the south of the island, protected by mountain ranges, which created special conditions for life.

Key factors in the formation of settlements:

• Distance from the Sea: Historically, settlements were built deep within the plain rather than on the coast itself. This was a necessary measure for protection against frequent raids by Barbary pirates, who terrorized the coastal zones of Corsica for centuries.
• Fertile Soils: The Figari plain became a natural center of attraction for farmers thanks to agricultural opportunities that are rare in the mountainous parts of the island.

Early Economy and Cultural Way of Life

The economic life of the region remained exclusively agrarian for centuries. Local residents led a traditional, measured lifestyle characteristic of the inland areas of Corsica.

• Viticulture: This is one of the region's most ancient specializations. The climate and soil allowed Figari to become one of the oldest grape-growing districts on the island.
• Cork Oak: An important source of income historically was the harvesting of cork oak bark, groves of which grew abundantly in the vicinity.
• Livestock Farming: Traditional pastoral farming (sheep and goats) provided residents with food and materials for trade with neighboring regions, such as Bonifacio.

Key Dates in the History of Figari

• Neolithic Era: Megalithic structures—dolmens and menhirs—appear on the territory of the modern commune, evidencing the early settlement of these lands.
• Roman Period: The fertile plains of the region are actively developed for growing grain crops, supplying food to the southern part of the island.
• Late 16th Century: The Genovese tower Torre di Figari is erected in the bay. The fortification was intended to protect the coast and inland territories from pirate raids.
• Late 18th — 19th Century: The period of construction and subsequent reconstruction of the Church of the Immaculate Conception (Immaculée Conception). This temple became the architectural landmark and spiritual center for residents of the surrounding hamlets.
• 19th Century: The region experiences an economic upturn due to the development of cork oak bark extraction and the expansion of pasture territories.
• Late 19th Century: Figari faces a phylloxera epidemic. The disease causes serious damage to local vineyards, the restoration of which takes decades.
• 1975: The opening of the Figari-Sud-Corse airport takes place, which radically changed transport accessibility and opened new perspectives for the region's economy.
• 1976: Wines of the Figari region receive official AOC status (Controlled Designation of Origin), confirming their high quality and the uniqueness of the terroir.
• 1990s: The beginning of active development of tourism infrastructure, and the gradual transformation of the commune into an important transit hub for southern Corsica.
• 2009: The airport begins servicing flights from budget airlines (low-cost carriers). This event triggered a rapid growth in passenger traffic and made the region significantly more popular among international travelers.

Key Stages of the City's Transformation

• Consolidation of the Hamlet System

  Significance: Figari developed not as a monolithic city, but as a network of scattered villages (hameaux). This unique urban planning structure has been preserved to this day, defining the low density of development and the special "rural" character of the infrastructure, where each district retains its autonomy.

• Construction of the Torre di Figari Tower

  Significance: The erection of the Genovese fortification in the bay made it possible to secure the coastal zone. This gave impetus to the development of trade and more active use of marine resources, which were previously inaccessible due to the threat of piracy.

• Creation of a Strategic Air Hub (1975)

  Significance: The construction of the airport became the main economic driver of the 20th century. From a closed agricultural community, Figari turned into the third most important transport gateway of Corsica, ensuring the connection of the island's south (including Bonifacio and Porto-Vecchio) with the mainland.

• Awarding of AOC Viticulture Status (1976)

  Significance: Official recognition of the local terroir's uniqueness raised the region's economy to a new level. Viticulture transformed from a local craft into an export industry, attracting investments and gastronomic tourists.

• Integration into the Low-Cost Network (2000s)

  Significance: The arrival of budget airlines radically changed the structure of the tourist flow. The sharp increase in the number of passengers stimulated the development of the service sector, car rentals, and the hotel business directly within the commune, reducing dependence on purely agricultural activities.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning Features

The urban structure of Figari is unique and differs from the standard European understanding of a city. It is not an urbanized center with dense buildings, but a vast commune uniting 14 scattered hamlets (hameaux), such as Poggiale, Tarrabucceta, and Ogliastrello. The region's architecture is dictated by the harsh landscape, the need for defense, and the availability of natural materials.

Main Architectural Eras and Styles

• Genovese Military Architecture (16th Century)

  The period of the Republic of Genoa's dominance left a mark in the form of fortifications on the coast. The style is characterized by severity, massiveness, and a purely utilitarian purpose.

  Landmark Object: Tower of Figari (Tour de Figari). Located in the bay, it represents a classic example of a round coastal tower built for protection against Barbary pirates. It is a stark stone structure with minimal decorative elements.

• Traditional Rural Architecture (18th–19th Centuries)

  The basis of the hamlet settlements consists of traditional Corsican houses ("caseddi"). The style can be described as folk or vernacular, fully integrated into the environment.

  Characteristic Features: Use of local granite, thick walls to keep the interior cool in summer and warm in winter, small loophole-like windows, and gable roofs covered with tiles. Houses were often built in groups, forming enclosed courtyards for protection against winds.

• Provincial Classicism and Neo-Romanesque Style (19th Century)

  During this period, the consolidation of religious life occurred, which was reflected in the construction of the commune's main temple. The architecture strives for monumentality but retains the restraint characteristic of rural areas.

  Landmark Object: Church of the Immaculate Conception (Eglise de l'Immaculée Conception). The building combines features of the Neo-Romanesque style with elements of Classicism. The high bell tower, constructed from hewn granite blocks, is the main vertical dominant of the plain, uniting the scattered settlements.

• Modern Functionalism (Second Half of the 20th Century)

  The development of transport infrastructure brought modern engineering structures to the landscape, where form is fully subordinate to function.

  Landmark Object: Figari-Sud-Corse Airport. The terminal is executed in the style of modern functionalism: simple geometric forms, use of concrete and glass. The building is designed to handle seasonal peaks in tourist flow while remaining concise against the backdrop of mountain landscapes.

Legendary and Historical Figures

• Ugo Colonna
  Legendary Count of Corsica (9th Century)
  A key figure in the island's history, whose name is associated with the liberation of Corsica from the Moors. According to legends, it was his actions that laid the foundation for the feudal system of the Freto region, to which Figari historically belongs.
• Orso Alamanno
  Medieval Feudal Lord
  A character of local legends, known as the "Tyrant of the Plain." Tales state that he ruled the lands of Figari cruelly in the Middle Ages, personifying the harsh era of feudal fragmentation in the south of the island.
• Piobbetta
  Folk Hero
  A central character of Figari folklore who led the resistance against the tyranny of Orso Alamanno. His image symbolizes the freedom-loving spirit of the local residents and their struggle for the independence of their lands.

Modern Figures

• Jean-Paul de Rocca Serra
  Politician, Statesman (1911–1998)
  An influential Corsican politician nicknamed the "Silver Fox" (Renard Argenté). He played a decisive role in the economic development of the region, becoming the main initiator of the construction of the Figari-Sud-Corse airport in the 1970s, which brought the commune out of isolation.
• Yves Canarelli
  Winemaker, Innovator
  One of the most famous modern viticulturists of Corsica. It is thanks to his efforts and skill that the wines of the Figari AOC appellation received international recognition. He revived ancient autochthonous grape varieties, proving the uniqueness of the local terroir.