Pont de Zippitoli

Pont de Zipitoli is a stone Genoese bridge tucked away in the Pineta forest, a few kilometers from Bastelica, a mountain village in Corsica-du-Sud. Built in the 15th or 16th century, it once formed part of a route linking the mountain interior with the coast, and today draws hikers and history lovers exploring inland Corsica.

What is this bridge and why does it matter?

Zipitoli is one of many Genoese bridges scattered across Corsica — stone structures raised while the island was under Genoese influence, when trade and shepherding routes needed sturdy crossings over fast mountain rivers. It spans the Ese, a small river that soon after joins the Prunelli, one of the main waterways of the Ajaccio region. The bridge once carried the old track connecting Bastelica to Ajaccio, along a path that today leads on toward the village of Tolla.

What does the bridge look like?

The structure measures about 19 meters in length and just under 3 meters in width. Its defining feature is a single semicircular arch, roughly 5 meters high with a span of about 10 meters, partly resting on a natural rock outcrop. The roadway rises and falls in a hump-back profile, a common engineering solution of the period that reduced the amount of stone needed while concentrating the load directly above the riverbed. This simple but effective form is why the bridge has survived largely intact.

What is its history?

For centuries, Zipitoli served a practical purpose, letting residents of Bastelica and nearby hamlets reach Ajaccio without a long detour. That changed in the mid-19th century, when a forestry road was built to open up Corsica's woodlands to wider timber exploitation. The new route took over the bridge's role, and Zipitoli gradually fell out of everyday use while keeping its original form. Since 1977, following a ministerial order, it has been listed as a French historic monument, giving it legal protection. The bridge remains the property of the commune of Bastelica.

Why is it worth the trip?

The bridge sits away from the main roads, surrounded by the Pineta forest — a setting that is itself part of the appeal. Reaching it means a quiet walk through Corsican woodland, with the sound of running water as the only company. Bastelica, the starting point for this outing, is one of the most distinctive mountain villages of southern Corsica, known as the home region of Sampiero Corso, the 16th-century Corsican leader and symbol of the island's resistance to outside rule. The area brings together Genoese heritage, traces of Corsica's history of independence struggles, and the rugged mountain landscape of the island's interior — a side of Corsica rarely seen by coastal tourism.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is the bridge from Bastelica? Pont de Zipitoli lies about 7 kilometers from Bastelica, inside the Pineta forest, along the old track toward Tolla.

When was the bridge built? It dates from the 15th–16th century, during the period of Genoese influence over Corsica.

Is the bridge still in use? Not for everyday traffic — it lost its role as a river crossing in the mid-19th century once a forestry road was built, though it remains physically intact and can still be crossed on foot.

Is the site legally protected? Yes, the bridge was listed as a French historic monument by ministerial order on 15 February 1977 and remains owned by the commune of Bastelica.