Cargese: Churches, Coast and Corsican Traditions

If you’re planning a stay in Cargese, its churches, coastal scenery and local experiences can shape the character of your trip. The Greek and Latin churches differ in their religious traditions and architectural styles; the municipality also has five beaches. A PR hiking route, guided snorkelling trips from the harbour and the products of a local business add to the range of things to explore.

Greek and Latin Churches

The Greek church was built between 1854 and 1872 and has been listed as a historic monument since 1990. It is Greek Catholic and follows the Byzantine rite; it is not Orthodox. Four icons from Vytilo, dating from 1676, adorn the church. The Byzantine liturgy is celebrated there in Greek. The icons date from considerably earlier than the church building.

The Latin church was completed in 1850 and was fully added to the supplementary inventory of historic monuments in 1989. It is designed in the neoclassical style. Its two-storey west façade features a Doric entablature, pilasters and a curved pediment; the bell tower is four-sided and topped by an octagonal lantern. The two churches therefore offer different points of comparison for architecture and culture: the Greek church draws attention to its rite, icons and liturgical language, while the Latin church is notable for its façade and tower design.

Coastal Setting and Historical Connections

Cargese lies on Punta di Carghjese, at almost 100 metres above sea level, between the northern end of the Gulf of Sagone and the small Gulf of Peru. The municipality has five beaches. Porto Monaghi beach is considered the place where the Greeks who founded Paomia came ashore in 1676. This historical connection gives Porto Monaghi a particular link to the history of Greek settlement and adds a specific historical perspective to the coastal scenery.

On Foot and on the Water

The Boucle de Puntiglione is a PR walking and hiking route that starts and ends in Cargese. As trail conditions and access may change, check the latest route information before setting out. For a different activity, A L'EAU RANDO offers guided snorkelling trips by boat from the harbour of Cargese to suitable locations. During the snorkelling experience, participants are given waterproof identification boards to help them identify different species. If you’d like to plan your time around the activity, you can choose between a hiking route on foot and a guided boat trip for snorkelling.

Local Products and Traditions

At Terra Corsa, you can discover and taste farm-made raw-milk cheeses from goat’s and sheep’s milk, Brocciu and cured meats directly from the producer. Visits to the farm are available by appointment. Another cultural tradition is the celebration in honour of Saint Anthony. It includes a mass, a procession through the village and the subsequent distribution of blessed breads. The experiences described therefore include both discovering local products and learning about religious and community traditions.

Discover more destinations: Santa-Maria-Siché, Bocca del Oro, Serriera, Zicavo, Campo, Sartène, Bocognano, Sollacaro.

Back to the main travel overview: Corse-Du-Sud.