Corbara

On the peak of Curbaghja

Corbara

Undoubtedlyone of the oldest villages in Lisula and Balagne, Curbara gazes quietly out towards the sea and the villages of the former pieve di Sant’Anghjulu. Its terraced neighbourhoods andMoorish-inspired façades create a silhouette shaped by the contours of the surrounding landscape. Curbara nurtures a vibrant and unique sense of history through the richness of its heritage and its stories. Its distinctive character in no way prevents visitors from succumbing to the summer warmth of its fine sandy beaches.

Getting there

The origins

In Curbara, the landscape shapes the stone. As early as the 9th century, the Counts of Balagne chose this strategic promontory to keep watch over the horizon. From fort to castle, successive lords moved their strongholds up Mount Sabelli to the site of U Forte, where the Chapel of Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows stands today.

Through its fortifications, the village has gradually tamed the slope of A Curbaghja, whose name evokes the rocky crevices once favoured by ravens. Sloping alleyways, narrow staircases and covered passageways bear witness to a masterful art of building on the rock face.

The spirit of the village has also transcended the confines of the Mediterranean. The village has been the birthplace of figures who are a source of pride for the community: Giovanni Danielli, physician to Louis XIII; Davia Fraceschini, favourite of the Sultan of Morocco in the 18th century; and Tito Franceschini-Pietri, private secretary to Napoleon III.

Religious heritage

In Curbara, the sacred is everywhere. Starting with the Collegiate Church of A Nunziata, a Baroque masterpiece listed as a Historic Monument in 2013, which now houses the Treasury Museum. Religious buildings thus occupy a central place in the village, and chapels in a variety of architectural styles follow one after another: Our Lady of Lazio, Saints Peter and Paul, and Saint Roch. The Chapel of Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows, situated on Mount Borgu, bears an inscription whose mystery anyone may try to unravel: Tu es peregrinu solus in Hierusalem – You are the sole pilgrim in Jerusalem.

The Saint Dominic Convent, founded in 1456, is now a retreat for those seeking a haven of peace where the passage of time seems to stand still. The monks produce floral waters, herbal teas and spices there, which are on sale in the shop.

Between sightseeing and walks by the sea

Curbara loves sharing and curious minds. Within the walls of Guy Savelli’s home, the history of Corsica unfolds through the passion of the host: decades of searching to gather manuscripts, old maps and mementoes of Pasquale Paoli.

Between services, the Saint-Dominique convent offers its tranquillity and history, the Musée du Trésor unveils its collection of gold and silverware, whilst artisans’ workshops open their doors to reveal a living tradition of craftsmanship.

Then, the slope gently descends towards the sea. The beaches of Bodri and Ghjunchitu offer a change of atmosphere, with the sea-scented spectacle of fine sand and clear waters. At Bodri, the dunes protected by the Conservatoire du littoral serve as a reminder that nature, too, has mastered the art of preservation.