Novella

Set apart from the main roads, Nuvella – Novella stretches across the hills of the former parish of Ostriconi. Its architecture, characterised by its large houses, reflects a village historically linked to the valley’s agricultural traditions. Today, ancient footpaths and winding country lanes attract walkers and cyclists: the GT20 cycle route passes through the village before tackling the Croce and San Colombanu passes and continuing into the heart of the Balagne.

Getting there

The tall façades

Around the Church of Santa Croce, Nuvella surprises visitors with its tall houses featuring imposing façades. These bear witness, in particular, to the prosperity the village enjoyed in the 19th century, when olive growing played a significant role in its economy. Among them, the Orabona House dominates the village. Built in the 19th century, this stately home is inspired by Italian architecture and stands out for its size and the viewing platform on its roof, which overlooks the Nuvella plain.

Cruschini, a sleepy village

Nuvella has existed as a village since the 11th century, but the site was inhabited long before that. In ancient times, it was already home to a Roman sanctuary. For several centuries, Nuvella ensured that the Marquises of Massa – a powerful Tuscan family – maintained control over a vast territory in Balagne from their castle at San Colombano. In the 19th century, olive cultivation flourished and brought prosperity to the village, thanks to its excellent-quality olive oil.

A few kilometres from the centre, Cruschini preservesthe remains of another medieval settlement belonging to the parish of Ostriconi. Its existence is attested as far back as the Middle Ages, and its church of Santi Cosimo e Damiano is thought to date from the turn of the 11th century. Abandoned in the mid-17th century, the settlement was deserted following a plague epidemic, forcing its inhabitants to seek refuge in Novella and Palasca.

Dry-stone walls, ancient terraces and the ruins of the church can now be glimpsed along a hiking trail. A ghost hamlet that remains deeply rooted in the memories of local families.

Discover

Looking for a break?

Trail 19 - Itinérance : Novella - Tartagine - L'Ile Rousse

Gîte de Novella

On the road on the GT20

The GT20: the common thread

The road through Nuvella forms part of the GT20 – A Traversata Maiò, Corsica’s major cycle-touring route. After Agriate, the route leaves the coast to reach Nuvella, taking in a series of climbs towards the Croce and San Colombanu passes before heading down towards Belgudè.

This route naturally places the village amongst the key stops on the Lisula itineraries. From Nuvella, small roads and mountain passes allow cyclists to continue towards the Reginu valley, the coast or the inland hills. The village has always served as a crossroads, a role it continues to fulfil today as cyclists cover the kilometres.