Vico: Monastery, Art and Hiking Trails

Vico can be explored through a range of interests: ecclesiastical architecture, individual works of art and hikes with detailed trail information.

Monastery, Church and Art

Several periods come together at the Saint-François Monastery. Its construction began in 1481 for the Franciscans, at the order of Lord Giovan Paolo de Leca. Following its reconstruction in the 17th and 18th centuries, a U-shaped complex with a cloister, chapel and monastery wings was created. The monastery has been home to the Missionary Oblates of the Immaculate Virgin Mary since 1836. Its construction, reconstruction and later use thus form distinct chapters in its history.

The monastery church houses U Santu Franciscone, a large polychrome wooden Christ. Father Albini’s tomb is also in the monastery; he is commemorated there every year on 20 May. If this date matters for your travel plans, check the programme in advance, as it may vary.

Other works of religious art each have their own heritage status. The statue “Saint Joseph et l’Enfant Jésus” in the church in Vico is a gilded, polychrome wooden work from the mid-to-late 19th century and has been listed as an individual object among the historic monuments since 1988. Saint-Appien Cathedral, by contrast, has been protected in its entirety as a historic monument since 4 September 1989. The distinction between a listed object and a protected building helps clarify the two designations.

A bronze statue of Bishop Casanelli d’Istria stands in a shady square in the heart of Vico. Another unusual historical feature is the ancient figure of Appriciani: a rock shaped like a human head, classified as a historic monument in 1840. These examples range from religious sculpture to a striking rock formation.

Hiking Trails and Views

The trail descriptions also take different approaches. The Chigliani trail is rated easy and family-friendly; it starts at the edge of Vico, behind the church. The listed distance is 3 kilometres and the duration is 1 hour 30 minutes. The trail offers views of the mountains, the Liamone Valley and the Saint-François Monastery. These details give you concrete points of reference for planning your time and the sights to look out for along the way.

The “Vico au sommet de la Cuma” route, by contrast, starts in the hamlet of Nesa and climbs into the forest. Nesa is also home to the Church of Saint Paul and Saint Damien, built between 1863 and 1871, which offers panoramic views of the village of Vico. It may be worth checking trail conditions in advance before setting out on a hike. Which of the two trail descriptions interests you more depends on whether you want to focus on the distance, duration and views, or on the starting point and climb into the forest.

Spring and Village History

A Funtana Vechja lies just below the village of Vico and was its only spring for several centuries. A notice dated 17 July 2026 stated that visitors could use the historic spring after its water had been confirmed as drinkable. If you plan to drink the water, check its current drinking-water status in advance.

The spring adds an aspect of the village’s former water supply to its religious and scenic points of interest. During your stay, you can explore different sides of Vico: historic buildings and art, a square with a bronze statue, and hiking trails with described views. The specific trail details and the annual commemoration of Father Albini on 20 May also offer different points of reference for planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: Coti-Chiavari, Cardo-Torgia, Cannelle, Aullène, Olivese, Letia, Casalabriva, Albitreccia.

For the broader travel overview: Corse-Du-Sud.