Funtanaccia

Funtanaccia is a megalithic dolmen on the Cauria plateau, roughly 15 km southwest of Sartène in Corsica. Locals call it "Stazzona di u Diavulu," the Devil's Forge, a nickname born from the sheer scale of the stones and how hard it once seemed to explain their placement without invoking supernatural strength. It is considered the best-preserved dolmen on the entire island and has been protected as a historic monument since 1900.

How was the dolmen built?

The structure rests on six stone uprights (orthostats) roughly thirty centimetres thick, supporting a massive capstone measuring about 3.40 by 2.90 metres. The burial chamber beneath covers around 4 m², with interior dimensions estimated at 2.6 x 1.6 x 1.8 metres. The precision with which the supporting stones were fitted to hold such a heavy slab, without any mortar, has long impressed both researchers and visitors.

How old is Funtanaccia?

The dolmen dates to the late Neolithic or early Bronze Age, with estimates placing its construction as far back as 4,000 years ago, somewhere in the 2nd or 1st millennium BC. Like other dolmens across the region, it served as a burial site.

What else is there to see nearby?

Funtanaccia does not stand alone — it forms part of the wider Cauria archaeological site, which includes two menhir alignments. About half a kilometre northeast of the dolmen lies the Alignement de Stantari, a group of fifteen standing stones, some carved with anthropomorphic features resembling warrior figures. A kilometre further south is the Alignement de Rinaghju, comprising forty-six standing stones. The name "stantari" comes from a local term meaning "man standing on his feet." These menhirs are believed to have been erected later than the dolmen itself, likely between the 13th and 7th centuries BC.

How can you visit Funtanaccia?

The whole Cauria site can be explored via a marked circular walking trail that takes about 45 minutes to complete. The path crosses the open, green landscape of the plateau and includes information panels at each of the main features. The site is accessible year-round and ranks among the most significant prehistoric heritage sites in southern Corsica, straddling the commune of Monacia-d'Aullène and neighbouring Sartène, in the Corse-du-Sud department.

Frequently asked questions

Is Funtanaccia the only dolmen in Corsica? No, the island has several surviving megalithic monuments, but Funtanaccia is regarded as the best preserved and the most impressive in terms of construction.

Where does the name "Stazzona di u Diavulu" come from? It's a local Corsican name meaning "the Devil's Forge," referring to the imposing size of the stone slabs that make up the dolmen.

Are there other monuments near the dolmen? Yes, within about a kilometre stand two menhir alignments, Stantari and Rinaghju, which together with the dolmen form the Cauria archaeological site.

How long does it take to see the whole site? The circular trail linking the dolmen and the menhir alignments takes about 45 minutes at a relaxed pace.