Situation
Halfway between Ajaccio and Corte, the village of Bocognano is renowned for its privileged position at the foot of Monte d'Oro, its chestnut woods and waterfall Le Voile de la Mariée.
Bocognano, along with 9 other communes, belongs to the canton of Celavo-Mezzana. It is in to the Regional Natural Park of Corsica, in the Gravona territory. Its natural heritage, the purity of its water sources, the quality of its welcome and climate make it a popular summer destination near Ajaccio.
Geology and terrain
Bocognano is a mountain village located in the granite part of the island. It occupies an area surrounded by chains of high mountains of the Monte d'Oro massif in the north, and the Monte Renoso massif to the south, through which flows the Gravona river. It is the upper valley of the Gravona, the river taking its source on the slopes of Monte Renoso at 2,110 metres (6,920 ft) altitude.
Hydrography
The hydrographic network is dense. The river Gravona is fed by many streams which are only appointed on maps.
Many springs rise in its territory and form natural fountains.
Climate and vegetation
The territory has a tiered vegetation. Below the rocky peaks, clouds, appear odorant alders (bassu in Corsican), and beech woodlands can be found at the top of the valley. Lower altitudes are covered by forests, mainly composed of oaks and pines, and the chestnut wood located in an area between 600 and 800 meters. Chestnut trees planted along the road north of the village attracts many collectors and gatherers at the time of hatching bugs.
Three communal forests cover a large part of the city:
- Bocognano / Pastricciola / Tavera (1451 ha);
- Bastelica / Bocognano (3957 ha);
- Azzana / Bocognano / Pastricciola / Rezza / Tavera (1045 ha).
More information Climate data for Bocognano (1981–2010 averages, extremes 1978–present), Month ...
Climate data for Bocognano (1981–2010 averages, extremes 1978–present) |
Month |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Year |
Record high °C (°F) |
21.0 (69.8) |
23.0 (73.4) |
28.5 (83.3) |
29.0 (84.2) |
34.0 (93.2) |
36.0 (96.8) |
40.0 (104.0) |
40.5 (104.9) |
35.5 (95.9) |
31.2 (88.2) |
25.0 (77.0) |
20.0 (68.0) |
40.5 (104.9) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) |
10.6 (51.1) |
11.3 (52.3) |
14.0 (57.2) |
16.5 (61.7) |
21.2 (70.2) |
25.2 (77.4) |
29.4 (84.9) |
29.5 (85.1) |
24.4 (75.9) |
19.8 (67.6) |
14.5 (58.1) |
11.3 (52.3) |
19.0 (66.2) |
Daily mean °C (°F) |
6.3 (43.3) |
6.6 (43.9) |
8.9 (48.0) |
11.2 (52.2) |
15.6 (60.1) |
19.2 (66.6) |
22.7 (72.9) |
22.5 (72.5) |
18.4 (65.1) |
14.7 (58.5) |
10.2 (50.4) |
7.3 (45.1) |
13.7 (56.7) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) |
2.0 (35.6) |
1.9 (35.4) |
3.8 (38.8) |
5.9 (42.6) |
9.9 (49.8) |
13.1 (55.6) |
15.9 (60.6) |
15.6 (60.1) |
12.4 (54.3) |
9.7 (49.5) |
5.9 (42.6) |
3.3 (37.9) |
8.3 (46.9) |
Record low °C (°F) |
−7.9 (17.8) |
−9.5 (14.9) |
−6.0 (21.2) |
−2.0 (28.4) |
0.5 (32.9) |
4.0 (39.2) |
7.0 (44.6) |
5.5 (41.9) |
4.4 (39.9) |
0.0 (32.0) |
−3.0 (26.6) |
−6.3 (20.7) |
−9.5 (14.9) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) |
110.2 (4.34) |
103.2 (4.06) |
99.9 (3.93) |
129.5 (5.10) |
87.6 (3.45) |
56.7 (2.23) |
24.2 (0.95) |
38.5 (1.52) |
104.7 (4.12) |
143.0 (5.63) |
187.3 (7.37) |
188.8 (7.43) |
1,273.6 (50.14) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) |
9.5 |
9.7 |
9.5 |
11.4 |
8.8 |
6.2 |
3.1 |
3.9 |
7.3 |
9.8 |
11.7 |
11.7 |
102.6 |
Source: Meteo France[3] |
Close
Channels of communication and transport
Bocognano is distant 38 km from the Ajaccio-Napoléon Bonaparte airport, and 42 km from the commercial port of Ajaccio.
Road access
Bocognano is accessible by car ( RN 193 ) from Ajaccio (36 km), and Corte (41 km). To come from Corte, one must cross the pass of Vizzavona (altitude 1163 m). In winter, it is prudent to bring chains.
The D27 is a road which connects the RN 193 from Bocognano to the RN 196 in Cauro. This small road provides access to the nearby village of Bastelica after a winding 22 km route crossing the neck of the Scalella (1193 m). It is sometimes closed in winter.
Road haulage
A service of passenger transport by bus (bus Corsica), provided by the carrier EUROCORSE Travel makes every day except Sundays and holidays, links Corte-Ajaccio-Bastia and vice versa.
Rail Transport
Bocognano is served by the line of Railways of Corsica. It has a railway station.
Urbanization
Bocognano is a large village, situated at an average altitude of 650 meters. It is composed of eleven hamlets: Celli, Busso, Poggiola, Moraschi and Corsacci being the most important, Pietrajolo, Quercioli, Gare, Colleta, Villanova and Erbajo.
Inhabitants were once nomadic herders who practiced transhumance; they spent the summer pastures in the mountains (a muntagnera) and winter on the coast (the impiaghjera), especially in the plains' of Afa .
Houses with two or three floors and red roofs present austere facades. Some small businesses are open in Corsacci (bar, bakery, butcher, restaurant, etc.).
In Corsacci, Bocognano has a post office, the Office of Tourism of Upper Gravona open during the summer, an elementary school, a center for 1st intervention Fire Brigade and a brigade of the National Gendarmerie.
Once existed above the hamlet of Busso, the castle of Count Busso. A legend says that one can see some evenings, at night, flames near the castle. They come from damned souls of the Count who can not find rest.
There are many sheepfolds in altitude, although many are no longer occupied for summer pastures.