Discover Zalana: Paths, Church and Cultural Heritage

Zalana offers several distinct points of interest for planning your trip: a Baroque parish church, narrow lanes with old fountains, the fountain and washhouse of Strambelaccie, and the Genoese bridge of Pont d’Alisu. The landscape and paths are also part of the village’s character. When planning, you can decide whether to focus more on village culture, architecture or nature.

Parish Church and Art

The parish church of A Nunziata de Zalana was built in the Baroque style at the end of the 18th century and is dedicated to the Annunciation. Numerous statues adorn the church, including depictions of Saint Anthony, Saint Lucy and Saint Roch. The church thus serves as both an architectural and a religious point of interest in the village.

The parish church also houses the painting The Beheading of John the Baptist, from the Fesch Collection. It is classified as a Historic Monument. The church, statues and painting offer different insights into Zalana’s religious and artistic heritage.

Lanes, Fountains and Washhouse

Zalana invites you to stroll through narrow, vaulted lanes lined with stone. Old fountains punctuate the lanes and add distinctive features. Exploring the village on foot brings you not only its architecture but also the fountains integrated into the character of its lanes.

A short, stone-paved path leads to the fountain of Strambelaccie and its well-preserved washhouse. From the hamlet of Belfasca, the path to the washhouse starts opposite the parish church. These two details help with orientation: one path is identifiable by its paved surface, while the other is identifiable by its starting point in Belfasca and its position opposite the church.

From the washhouse of Strambelaccie, you can see the two villages of Campi and Moïta, as well as the Bravone Valley. The site combines an architectural destination—the fountain and washhouse—with wide-ranging views of the landscape. The view encompasses both named villages and the valley.

Pont d’Alisu and Paths Through the Landscape

The Genoese bridge of Pont d’Alisu lies on the Bravone River and is a highlight along the Matra–Zalana path. The path and riverside location provide two different points of reference: the Matra–Zalana path puts the bridge in the context of your visit, while the Bravone identifies its location.

Vignale is a hamlet of Zalana. The surrounding area includes maquis, woodland and ferns in former vegetable gardens. The hamlet also has a significant dry-stone heritage, including a calade and very beautiful retaining walls. Here, landscape and built heritage sit side by side: the plants and former garden plots mentioned shape the surroundings, while the calade and walls showcase dry-stone construction.

The Sentier de Zalana is suitable for a family hike. Along the way, you can experience lush nature in a striking landscape. The hike offers a distinct focus alongside the village’s churches and buildings. Vegetation and trail conditions may vary seasonally; take this into account when planning your visit.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Lumio, Morsiglia, Orneto, Casabianca, Erbajolo, Morosaglia, Palasca, Feliceto.

For the broader travel overview: Haute-Corse.