Castellare-Di-Casinca: Village Centre and Cultural Heritage

Castellare-Di-Casinca can be explored on two scales: its historic village centre and a municipal area that stretches from the sandy coastal strip to the shale-rich foothills of the middle mountains of Castagniccia. The municipal beach of L'Anghjone lies seven kilometres below the village. The coast and mountainous hinterland are therefore part of the area’s geography, along with the lanes and buildings of the old village. When planning your trip, this distinction helps you avoid confusing the beach with the village centre, while also keeping the destination’s varied landscape in mind.

Village Centre and Architectural History

Numerous fountains and other water sources lie among a maze of lanes in the old village. The narrow paths are paved with local stone; the houses are made of irregular stone and have roofs of schist slabs. Both the layout of the paths and the materials used shape the character of the village centre. The original village centre consists of a ring of fortified houses, overlooked by a manor tower that was probably built in the 13th century. The fortified complex and the small-scale buildings offer different perspectives on the village’s history: the overall character of the centre, on the one hand, and the details of its lanes and houses, on the other.

Saint-Pancrace and Romanesque Architecture

The church of Saint-Pancrace is protected as a historic monument. Its first building phase is Romanesque; construction probably began in the 11th century, while completion took place in stages during the 12th century. One specific architectural feature is the round-arched arcade bay, supported by two pentagonal piers. Saint-Pancrace thus brings together a construction history that unfolded over time and a precisely described structural feature. For travellers interested in culture, the church offers more than a single date: its protected status, cautiously stated construction chronology and the form of its arcade bay all help to put it in context.

Cultural Routes and Their Destinations

A cultural walking route connects Penta-di-Casinca, classified as a village, with the church of Saint-Pancrace in Castellare-di-Casinca. It also reaches the ruins of the church of Sant'Andrea, which extend across Penta-di-Casinca and Castellare-di-Casinca. A different route description concerns the Copolane path: it leads to San Tomè, a former agricultural plateau that separates the municipalities of Penta and Castellare. These destinations offer different points of interest. Saint-Pancrace and Sant'Andrea represent ecclesiastical architecture and local history; San Tomè points to a former agricultural plateau and the boundary between the municipalities. If one of these themes interests you, you can choose a route according to its destination.

Art and Regional Fair

The Ferrara Art Gallery is a venue for artistic encounters in painting and sculpture. This adds a distinct connection to the arts alongside the architecture. The Fiera di San Branca also broadens the picture of Casinca: this very old traditional Corsican fair takes place in Casinca in May. The fair includes demonstrations of shearing, animal care and handling, competitions featuring Corsican rams, and equestrian skill competitions. A market for agricultural produce rounds out the offering. This makes it possible to distinguish the churches and lanes of Castellare-Di-Casinca from a regional event centred on agriculture, animals and a fair market.

Discover more destinations: Verdèse, Vallecalle, Belgodère, Bisinchi, Avapessa, Urtaca, Canale-Di-Verde, Castirla.

For the broader travel overview: Haute-Corse.