Corbara, Haute-Corse, Corsica
Bathed in golden light, the chapel of Notre-Dame des Sept Douleurs à Corbara, in the heart of the Balagne region, rises from a hill. As the sky turns crimson, a small bench facing the sea is an invitation to enjoy one of the most beautiful sunsets of Corsica,
a moment of grace, peace, and serenity.
© Olivier Sanchez / Crystal Pictures
The narrow lanes of Corbara, a small village in the Balagne region of Corsica bathed in sunlight and overlooking the sea, along with its typical houses and baroque churches, extend majestically across the hills of mounts Guido, Borgu, and Pietralta, at the foot of Sant’Angelo. As night falls, a golden light descends upon the high facades. The simplicity and gentleness of this environment are only matched by the unsuspected riches of its religious heritage. With nine chapels, the A Nunziata collegiate church, the convent of Saint Dominique des Frères de Saint-Jean, and liturgical items on display at the Musée du Trésor, Corbara, founded in 816 and one of the oldest villages of Balagne, is home to an unrivalled religious heritage on the Île de Beauté. The chapel of Notre-Dame-des-Sept-Douleurs, built in 1700 on the vestiges of a former 14th-century fort, is a perfect illustration of this. Established within the armoury of the former Castel de Corbara, it marked the launch of the village’s urbanisation. Today, the town extends across over 1,000 hectares and is home to nearly 900 inhabitants. A hillside haven of peace, where heritage and vistas will render you speechless!