Barbaggio: Churches, Casemate and Vineyards

Barbaggio combines a clearly laid-out village with winegrowing, walking country and traces of several centuries. The terraced village centre, trails with views of the Conca d’Oru and cultural sites at Col de Teghime offer concrete points of reference when choosing a destination. From Bastia, the village is considered a gateway to the Grand Site de France Conca d’Oru; Barbaggio is reached by descending from Col de Teghime.

Village centre and trails through the landscape

The village centre comprises the terraced hamlets of Piazze, Poggio and Gorgaccia, as well as the church of San Marcellu. The arrangement of the hamlets helps visitors find their way around, while the church provides another prominent landmark.

The Sentier panoramique des Balcons links Barbaggio and Poggio d’Oletta. This challenging circular hike is more than 10 km long, with an elevation gain of 175 m. You can start at the Belvédère de Barbaggio or on the RD 238; check the route details before setting out. Along the way, there are uninterrupted views across the Conca d’Oru and the Patrimonio vineyards to the limestone ridge of Mont Sant’Anghjulu.

The Maison de l’évêque, with its medieval walls, stands along the trail. It served as a second home for the bishops of Nebbiu. A pagliaghju is a Corsican agro-pastoral building once used to store straw and occasionally to shelter shepherds or their livestock. Along with the wide-ranging views, these two buildings offer historical points of interest on the trail.

Churches and archaeological heritage

The parish church of Saint-Marcel is, in its essential parts, an 18th-century church; older remains include gravestones from the 16th century. Its domed bell tower is particularly striking. The church also houses the 17th-century painting “Saint Jerome in the Desert”, which is classified as a protected object. The building features, gravestones and painting thus represent different centuries.

The chapel of San Petru dates from the 11th century and was the main church of the former Pieve of Patrimonio. Archaeological excavations there uncovered a pit for casting bells and fragments of clay moulds. The craft production structure discovered there is considered unique in Corsica.

Places of remembrance at Col de Teghime

Restored in 2022, the casemate at Col de Teghime allows visitors to explore an underground section of a former trench system. Above ground, the route leads to an observation post and the site of a former gun emplacement. This offers the chance to experience the structure both underground and at the surface.

The war memorial at the pass commemorates a three-day battle in which 49 soldiers of the 2nd GTM lost their lives on 3 October 1943. The casemate and memorial tell different aspects of the pass’s military history: one leads through sections of a former structure, while the other records the specific historical events and their victims.

Winegrowing and local crafts

The Mlle D – Marie-Françoise Devichi winery in Barbaggio offers tours and wine tastings. The family has been making wine there for six generations. Its range includes Muscat du Cap Corse with AOC designation, as well as wines from the AOP Patrimonio. Winegrowing, family history and the two appellations offer different ways to explore the local wine culture.

Another chapter in the area’s economic history is the 18th-century Molinaccio grain mill on the Quarcetto stream. It preserves structural elements of a mill for wheat and chestnuts. Also preserved is a limestone millstone measuring about 120 cm in diameter and 15 cm thick. It is strongly recommended that you contact knife-makers in advance before visiting.

Discover more destinations: Venaco, Corte, Castirla, Lavatoggio, Saint-Florent, Aregno, San-Giuliano, Bisinchi

For the regional travel overview: Haute-Corse.