Calanques de Piana

Calanche (French Les calanches de Piana, Les Calanques de Piana but also, Corsican calanche di Piana, singular calanca: " fjord-like bay " ) is a bizarre rock landscape south of Porto in the Regional Natural Park of Corsica. The rocks of reddish granite lie approximately 400 m above sea level, right on the coast, they seem to glow red when the corresponding sunshine.

The narrow road from Porto to Piana ( D81 ) leads directly through the Calanche. The rocks are from the street, but better to walk away. Several marked walking trails in the rocky landscape and to the best vantage points. The whole area has developed into a popular tourist destination.

Together with the Girolata Bay, the bay of Porto and the Natural Park of La scandola Calanche 1983 by the UNESCO declared World Heritage Site.

Tafoni

The special feature of the Calanche are the so-called Tafoni, typical forms of weathering rocks. The bizarre shapes stimulate the imagination and wear appropriate name. So Guy de Maupassant called the Calanche " a petrified menagerie of nightmares ". Known names for individual formations are:

  • The " dog's head " (La Tête du chien ), right beside the road,
  • The "turtle" (La Tortue ) and the "Adler" (L' Aigle )
  • The " confession " (La Confession )
  • The "bishop" (L' Évêque )
  • The " head of Poincaré " (La Tête de Poincaré )
  • The " Indian Head " (La Tête d' India )
  • The "heart" (Le Cœur )

Pictures

The dog's head

The heart

A head

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