Moulin Mattei: an excursion to discover one of Corsica’s symbols

What is the symbol of Corsica? For the most “nationalists”, maybe it’s the flag. Others probably will say the Strait of Bonifacio with its famous white cliffs. Still, a possible answer may be the several (and beautiful) beaches. But, according to many, the symbol of Corsica is a little-known, but certainly significant, place: Moulin Mattei.

It is, as you can see from the picture, a small-size circular mill with a conical roof. A white and red mill that seems to be taken from a novel of Cervantes. Instead, this mill is in Corsica, on the hills of Cap Corse, on the northern coast of the island.

If the building can be defined as “unusual”, the landscape that surrounds it is typical of this part of the island of beauty. Where the visitor can admire barren, wild landscapes, characterized by the presence of low vegetation. Not far away, on Col de Sella, there are the ruins of two ancient Genoese towers.

Moulin Mattei is famous also for another reason. That is the wonderful view that you can admire: you will see the beautiful sea of Corsica, with the verdant hills that slope gently down to the coast. Unforgettable.

But to reach Moulin Mattei, you have to be prepared to walk. It is located between Centuri and Macinaggio, visible along the D80 road. Starting from Bastia, take the D80 road towards north: the journey by car takes about an hour and a half, plus the distance on foot to reach the mill.

Image source: „Corsica Cap Corse Col de la Serra“ von Isiwal/Wikimedia Commons/CC-BY-SA-3.0-at. Lizenziert unter CC BY-SA 3.0 über Wikimedia Commons