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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Zaglia bridge, located in the Spelunca gorge between Ota and Évisa in South Corsica, was built in 1797 by the genoese master mason Antonio Bensa. This bridge to an arch, typical of Genoese architecture, was commanded by the community of Évisa to facilitate the movement of transhumant shepherds and inhabitants growing land in the Sia region. Its construction, financed in part by the brotherhood of the penitents of Saint Anthony Abbé and the Rosary, lasted about one to two years, with techniques adapted to the constraints of the Tavulella torrent.

The Zaglia Bridge, classified as a historic monument in 1990, illustrates the ingenuity of the Genoese bridges: a single arch spanning the watercourse, abutments anchored in the rock, and a donkey back apron. It was part of a mule trail linking Évisa to Ota, integrated with the Tra Mare e Monti trail. This path, marked with 25 explanatory panels, highlights the fauna, flora, and traditional construction techniques such as dry stone or "step donkey".

The bridge is representative of the Genoese structures in Corsica, designed to withstand seasonal floods and heavy loads. Its imposing arch allows to cross the torrential flow of the Tavulella, fed by the waters of the Aïtone. The site, rich in biodiversity, is home to plant species such as laricio pine or arbous tree, and a fauna adapted to rocky environments, such as the Corsican Salamander or the white-bellied martinet. The bridge, now in poor condition, is soon to be restored.

The 1797 construction contract, kept at the Departmental Archives of Corse-du-Sud, states that Antonio Bensa received 130 large ecus from France and a labour aid to carry out the work. A print of Engelmann dated 1824 shows the bridge with its original parapet and an edicle housing the statue of a patron saint, now missing. This bridge, owned by the municipality of Évisa, remains a major testimony of Corsican road and architectural heritage.

The gorges of Spelunca, where the bridge is located, form a spectacular landscape dominated by vertiginous rocks, such as that of U Castellu, where a castle of Leca would have existed destroyed in the 17th century according to the local legend. The trail, accessible from Route D84, offers a cultural and natural walk, with possible stops to swim in the translucent waters of the river. The Zaglia Bridge, with the Pianella Bridge (15th century) located downstream, illustrates the importance of Genoese infrastructure in the planning of Corsican territory.

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