Corsica's most beautiful churches and spiritual retreats

It's also an opportunity to discover Corsica's most beautiful churches. Churches steeped in history that contribute to the island's identity.

Corsica's most beautiful churches

Below is a non-exhaustive list of Corsica's churches and chapels to visit.

• Bastia (Haute-Corse), Cathédrale Sainte Marie - one of the city's most beautiful churches. Inside, the classical Baroque style abounds in an explosion of gilded decoration. Numerous works of art from the 18th and 19th centuries, forged pieces, sculptures and statues, generously donated by the bishops of Mariana, residents of the cathedral from 1600 to 1622, take pride of place.
• Nonza (Cap corse) l'Eglise Sainte Julie et La Fontaine des Mamelles - Considered the patron saint of Corsica, Sainte Julie (santa Ghjulia in Corsican) was a young martyred woman from Nonza. Martyred for her faith, her breasts were cut off and thrown against the rocks, where miraculous water gushed forth that has never dried up. And when she finally gave up the ghost, a dove is said to have escaped from her mouth.
• Calvi (Balagne) l'Église Sainte Marie-Majeure - Built in 1774, the Église Sainte Marie-Majeure has four chapels, including a 15th-century Immaculate Conception painted on leather. A chapel that evokes a very ancient devotion, testimony to the Virgin's cult in Calvi.
• Ghisonaccia (Haute-Corse) l'Église Saint-Michel - Don't be fooled by its rather ordinary exterior, the interior is full of surprises. Magnificent neo-Byzantine paintings and frescoes by Greek artist Nikos Giannakakis await you!
• Corte (Haute-Corse) l'Église de l'Annonciation - A 15th-century Baroque church in Corte, Haute-Corse, listed as a historical monument on May 2, 1973. A beautiful 18th-century organ continues to resonate here!
• Ajaccio (Corse du sud) the Chapelle Impériale - Also known as the Chapelle Palatine, the Chapelle Impériale is one of Ajaccio's architectural gems. Listed as a historic monument, it forms the right wing of the Palais Fesch. It was built by Napoleon III, in particular, to bring together the graves of the Bonaparte family in a single holy site. Not to be missed!
• Bonifacio (Corse du sud) l'Eglise de Saint Dominique - Take advantage of your visit to the picturesque town of Bonifacio to visit the Church of Saint Dominique. Here you'll discover magnificent Baroque sculptures and listen to Corsican polyphonic chants.

Two churches face each other: the Greek-style Church of Saint-Spyridon (San Spiridionu in Corsican), a neo-Gothic edifice with a white façade supported by buttresses and crowned by a bell tower, and the Latin-styleChurch of the Assumption, also known as the Church of Saint Mary (Santa Maria Assunta), with its yellow-and-white-painted façade and two side chapels. Quite a history!

Church of the Holy Cross in Bonifacio

Bastia Cathedral

Where can I go for a spiritual retreat?

Corsica is home to many places where couples, families or groups of friends can enjoy a moment of calm. You'll be able to share time with brothers and sisters (in the religious sense, of course), sleep in simple rooms, do the housework and dishes together, and enjoy the attractions of the region.

The Corbara convent and others

• Le Couvent de Corbara (near Île Rousse): A simple, warm welcome and a fascinating history. The building is splendid, as is the library with its preserved treasures. Spend 2 nights here in an unusual atmosphere.
• The Convent of St. Francis in Vico, dating from the 15th century, stands isolated in the mountains near Mount Rotondo, just 14 km from the sea.
• Visit Convent of Saint Hyacinthelocated 7km from Bastia on the way to Cap Corse, surrounded by olive and palm trees, guarantees silence and calm in the company of the brothers. This enchanting setting, perfect for rest and meditation, is far from incompatible with the pleasures of the beach, just 2 km away.
• The Convent of Marcassu, 1500 square meters near Calvi, offers an extraordinary view of the mountains and the sea. Here you'll meet the community of the Rosier de l'Annonciation sisters, a dozen or so from Lourdes.

Monasteries and religion

Monasteries are religious establishments that bring together a community of monks or canons regular. Unlike convent monks, monks live far from the world.

• The Monastère Sainte-Claire in Bastia is home to a community of 8 sisters, and is open to guests and visitors from April to the end of October. In the past, the Clare nuns belonged to the best families on the island and were dedicated to the education of young girls from good society.
• The Monastery of the Assunta Gloriosa at Sari near Ghisonaccia is an extraordinary place of recollection, where you may be lucky enough to hear hymns during a religious service. It is run by the nuns of Bethlehem, from whom you can buy jams, herbal teas and handicrafts.

Ask our local team for advice, and we'll work with you to prepare a tailor-made tour !