Costa

Perched high above the former parish of Tuani, A Costa is a village of contrasts. A square, the church of San Salvadore and a cluster of large houses make up one of the smallest villages in Lisula and Balagne. Yet its history far exceeds its size: once the centre of the parish, Costa retains a significant religious heritage, a convent that has been converted several times, and a particularly rich tradition of craftsmanship.

Getting there

From the village to Tuani Convent

In the centre of Costa, the Church of San Salvadore serves as a reminder of the village’s former status within the parish of Tuani. Surrounding it, old houses and alleyways complement the architecture, whilst the imposing Malaspina house stands out near the town hall. Religious festivals still punctuate local life, particularly those centred on San Roccu – Saint Roch.

On the outskirts of the village, the Tuani convent is the municipality’s other heritage landmark. Founded by the Franciscans in the late 15th century, abandoned after the Revolution and then rebuilt in the 19th century with the involvement of the inhabitants ofCosta, Occhjatana andVille-di-Parasu, it still retains its church dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. The estate also comprises gardens, springs and an old washhouse. Processions and cultural events continue to bring this site to life from time to time, although part of it remains private.

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Mastering the subject

The village’s small size in no way detracts from its thriving craft scene. In A Stazzona di Balagna, blacksmith Jean-François Agostini shapes steel with a hammer and anvil to create unique knives with horn handles. As a holder of the Capu Artisgianu label, he meticulously upholds the tradition of Corsican cutlery-making.

In the village’s old vaulted cellars, Maëlla Ambrosini from Sottu a Loghja shapes stoneware to create refined tableware and contemporary sculptures.

These crafts come together every summer at A Fiera di u Focu – the Fire Fair – an event dedicated to the crafts of fire, where blacksmiths, potters and glassmakers demonstrate their skill and patience.

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