Touristic town of the Island of Beauty, Ersa takes place in Corsica, the north of Cap Corse. Located not far from Bastia, the small village is full of natural wonders that attract many tourists.
Its large coastline, which once gave it a strategic position on the Mediterranean, as well as its historical heritage make it indeed a place rich in interest on the Corsican island. The village takes its name from the term arsa, meaning thirst. Indeed, very dry, the site is one of the island places that know the least annual precipitation.
Populated before Roman times, the site of Ersa experiencing a very ancient history. Evidenced by several pre-Roman remains found around the village. But the rich heritage of Ersa lies in its many religious monuments that occupy its territory. This typically Corsican architecture and these old stones are hallmarks of the village, along with its beautiful beaches.
Despite its small population, the village of Ersa is not less a center of tourism on the Island of Beauty.
Former convent church, the Church of Santa Maria Assunta parish church is today. Inside, visitors can see several objects classified historic monument, like the tabernacle of the main altar dating from the eighteenth century, as well as various paintings of the Italian School. The former convent, now disused, welcomes in particular the mayor and the municipal school.
In ruins, the church St. Andrew date of the first half of the seventeenth century. Its bell tower, and its interior has been classified as an historic monument.
Chapels and other shrines abound in the town of Ersa. To name a few, the St. Erasmus chapel and painting Virgin and Child with St. Erasmus, St. Francis and St. Catherine of Alexandria classified historic monument, the chapel Sant'Antone Piazza, the oratory Santa Maria on the Giraglia or the Saint Nicolas.
Walking through the streets of Ersa and its surroundings, we find the tower house Poggio sixteenth century, several Genoese towers or the beautiful lighthouse of Giraglia, one of the five built in Corsica.
The Ersa mills still stand proudly over the town with its red roof and well white facade.
The natural heritage of Ersa is of interest with sites classified and protected as reserve biotope on the island of Giraglia, or the cliffs of Capo Bianco. These extend over seven kilometers offering a wide range of Mediterranean vegetation. The plateau of Cap Corse is also the scene of several hiking trails.
