Nonza: Historical monuments and the terraced path

Nonza reveals several layers of history: the Église Sainte-Julie and the Tour de Nonza ou de Torra are listed as historic monuments, while the Marine is linked to former trade at Cap Corse. There is also a circular trail across restored terraces, the black beach and archaeological traces. If you are looking for a hotel in Nonza, these different themes can help you plan your stay around your own interests. For walks, there is both a short walk to the large beach and a one-hour loop; the stated times refer to different time frames.

Buildings with different historical roles

The Église Sainte-Julie in Nonza is considered a Venetian Baroque building and is dedicated to the martyr Sainte-Julie. It was listed as a historic monument by decree on 6 December 1984. The Tour de Nonza ou de Torra was listed by decree on 5 July 1926. Over more than 800 years, its military role changed between that of a lord’s tower, a coastal tower and a defensive structure; at the same time, it was a symbolic marker of political identity. Remains of walls surround the tower and probably formed a kind of bastion. The church and tower therefore represent different ways of approaching Nonza’s history: sacred architecture and a building with changing military and political roles.

The Marine and its trading tradition

Until the 18th century, the ruins of Nonza’s Marine were among the most important trading posts at Cap Corse. In its warehouses, citrons were stored in different ways: whole fruits were kept in crates, while slices were stored in barrels of seawater. The two storage methods offer a concrete insight into the historical handling of this fruit. They add an illustrative detail about how the traded goods were stored to the former trading post’s significance.

Routes to the beach and across the terraces

A path on the left takes you to Nonza’s large beach in about five minutes on foot. For a longer walk, the circular hiking trail “Les terrasses et la marine” provides another option: it is 1.5 kilometres long, rated easy, laid out as a loop and marked in yellow; the stated duration is one hour. The trail leads from the village of Nonza to the black beach and back through restored terraces associated with the history of citron cultivation. This gives you both a short walk to the large beach and a one-hour loop linked to the terraces for planning your time. Check local trail conditions before setting out, as they can change.

Archaeological traces and the Fontaine Sainte Julie

The rock paintings of Grotta Scritta date from the beginning of the 2nd millennium BC. They add a much older archaeological layer to the architecture and trading history. The Fontaine Sainte Julie is also described with a specific route: a staircase with 54 steps leads to it from the northern entrance to Nonza. Its water is said to have miraculous powers. Nonza thus brings together historic buildings, a former trading post, rock paintings and destinations along walking routes, each with its own story.

Discover more destinations: Tox, Olmi-Cappella, Speloncato, Castineta, Castellare-Di-Casinca, Furiani, Montegrosso, Linguizzetta

For the broader travel overview: Haute-Corse.