by Manolis Spanakis

by Manolis Spanakis

Porto Vecchio streets


A spring promenade in the streets of the historical little town of Southern Corsica also known as the 'salt city'. Porto-Vecchio is placed in a region that in earlier times was marshy and suffered greatly from malaria; however, the anchorage for a port is excellent. The name means "Old Port", which may refer to the Roman port that left traces in the vicinity. Subsequently the region was more or less abandoned because of the malarial marshes. The city was refounded in 1539 by the Bank of Saint George at Genoa on a 70 meters high hill overlooking the gulf. The Genoese were careful to preserve the Roman port within the walls, which are trapezoidal and enclose the main square, place de la République, near the church, Église St.-Jean Baptiste. The Genoese intended a colonia, or replacement of the population, but malaria soon killed most of the Genoese settlers. Other colonosations of the town suffered the same fate as the drainage projects were minimally successful. World War II brought the presence of allies who were determined to eradicate malaria for the health of all concerned, but especially the soldiers and airmen. Through drainage, filling and spraying they succeeded making the region attractive again. The current population derives from an expansion that started about 1950.




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