Ortale
Ortale is a commune with 25 residents (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the Haute- Corse on the island of Corsica.
Geography
Ortale is located in the Regional Natural Park of Corsica in Castagniccia, 43 kilometers southwest of Bastia, the seat of the prefecture of the Haute -Corse. The municipality has an area of 4.06 square kilometers and lies at an average altitude of 515 meters above sea level, the Mairie is located at an altitude of 440 meters. The mountain village is passed by the road department D71.
Demographics
In 1800 Ortale had 252 inhabitants. Then, the population grew until 1851, when the community had about 340 inhabitants. Then, the population declined again. 1990 Ortale had only 17 inhabitants. Since then, a slight increase is again observed.
Culture and sights
With an inventory of buildings of Ortale in the years 2003 and 2009 on behalf of the Regional Council of Corsica ( Territorial collectivity of Corsica ), 25 buildings were examined. 60 percent of the houses date from the 17th century, 20 percent from the 18th century. Walls and roof tiles of the houses are made of slate. Some of the buildings include sheds that serve to dry chestnuts. The Mairie (, mayor ') shares with the sacristy, a building dating from the first half of the 18th century.
East of the village is a cemetery chapel from the 19th century, which has also been built of slate. It is privately owned and is not very well preserved. Another chapel is south of the town center. This chapel Sainte -Marie was built in the Middle Ages. Today, parts of the nave and the apse are only obtained with a cul-de -Four - vault.
The parish church of Sainte -Marie stands in the center. It was built in the 17th or in the 18th century and restored in the 19th century. The elongated nave bears a barrel vault. In the church there are several paintings and sculptures from the 18th and 19th centuries. A chalice made of brass dates from the 16th century.
Economy
The municipal area controlled appellations apply (AOC ) for Brocciu, Honey ( Miel de Corse - Mele di Corsica ), olive oil ( Huile d' olive de Corse - Oliu di Corsica ) and chestnut flour ( Farine de châtaigne corse - Farina Castagnina corsa ) and protected geographical indications ( PGI ) wine ( Ile de Beauté blanc, rosé or rouge and Méditerranée blanc, rosé and rouge ).