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malaskor — Blood Islands

Published: 2006-10-01 22:05:18 +0000 UTC; Views: 229; Favourites: 3; Downloads: 0
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Description The so called Blood Islands (Iles Sanguinaires) at the western coast of Corsica, not too far from Ajaccio (Aiacciu).

The smaller island in front is a "bird island" cormorans and other birds make their home there without being bothered by humans. The larger island in the back is nowadays uninhabited, but still in use - from left to right the three hills carry the current lighthouse, a former lighthouse and a "Genuese tower" (a watchtower used for spotting Moorish and Saracen pirates - sometimes also known as Martello tower, though these are a newer design based on the Genuese tower).

The Blood Islands' name's origin is a bit up for debate, there are 2 major theories - a) the islands got their name due to the blood red hue they take during sunset in fall (this version is very well liked by the tourists ) and b) the islands got their name due to the hospice on the larger island where lepers and other sick people were exiled/quarantained - the word for one of those sicknesses (can't remember which one) is very close to sanguine (blood) and thusly coined that name. There are other theories too, but they aren't as important in popular opinion (but who knows maybe one of them is the right one...)
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Comments: 2

Helens-Serendipity [2006-10-20 19:24:13 +0000 UTC]

Nice lighthouse, great for scale

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

malaskor In reply to Helens-Serendipity [2006-10-21 22:18:12 +0000 UTC]

Thank you

👍: 0 ⏩: 0