FURIANI village

Just to the south of Bastia, the village of Furiani overlooks Lake Chiurlinu. Protected by an ancient Genoese fortress in ruins, its old high-fronted houses and fine roofs rise above the cultivated terraces.
A 45-minute walk north-west of the village takes you to a Romanesque chapel built in the 12th century: it is the chapel of Santa Maria Assunta (9th – 10th centuries).
The village experienced considerable economic expansion in 1920, with the authorisation to grow tobacco and the establishment of the Job-Bastos factory, which has since become the SEITA.
The recently-established PIETRA brewery has brought an extra savour to the beers on the market. The brewery is open to visitors, by reservation - 04.95.30.14.70
On the plain, the Armand Césari Stadium receives all the best football teams.
The stadium was the scene of a tragedy on 5 May 1992, and a stele commemorates the event.

The Lake Biguglia Nature Reserve

At the foot of the village of Furiani, Lake Biguglia was made a nature reserve on the 9th of August 1994. It is a really green lung for the agglomeration of Bastia. The lake has an area of 1450 hectares.
The nature reserve helps to:
- preserve the bird-life: 127 species of aquatic birds.
- optimise the fishing potential: preserve the aquatic fauna (batrachians, reptiles).
- manage the plant heritage: African tamarisk, alder, eucalyptus, cork oak, the Provence cane etc.
Free guided tours are organised on request: 04.95.33.35.73

The Village of Cardo

Perched on a rocky promontory overlooking the heights of Bastia, the village of Cardo has all the particularities of a traditional Corsican rural habitat. Cardo certainly existed in the middle ages, but its real origins are lost in the mists of time. On the ancient Roman route, and being a Genoese pivot, it is still a typically Corsican village, built high on a rocky spur. Its inhabitants were thus protected from barbarian attacks, and even more importantly, from malaria, which is common on the plain. The village really began to grow in the 15th century, and it is from the port, Porto Cardo, that Bastia would arise. On 4 February 1839, the town of Bastia proposed that the village of CARDO should become part of the agglomeration of Bastia. CARDO became a quarter of Bastia by ordinance of King Louis-Philippe on 13 April 1844. Today a special deputy mayor represents the village of CARDO on the municipal council.

The Church of San Stefano

It was built in 1835 on the site of the old chapel that had become too small for the congregation.
The neo-classical style of San Stefano’s Church was strongly inspired by other baroque buildings found in Bastia.
Inside there is a fine Gothic-style organ loft dating from 1887. The Italian-made instrument was made by Giuseppe Paoli and his son.
Several 18th century paintings decorate the side-aisles. Two recesses, at the far end of the nave, shelter 2 statues in polychrome wood, dating from the 17th century.
There are several walks around the village. The "ice-cellars" signed path takes you to discover these old ice-cellars of the town. Dating from the 16th to the 18th century as well as many splendid panoramas over BASTIA.
Take an opportune refreshment at the fountain in the square and enjoy a glass of Cardo water. In the last century, it was sold by travelling traders to the inhabitants of Bastia. The surroundings of the village were then the place of holiday houses for well-off families from Bastia who came to spend the summer here.
Returning to Bastia by the lower road, you will see, in the park of the property "Villayet Saint Dominique" a very curious Turkish chapel whose exotic minarets rise up among palm-trees. Built in the 19th century by an eccentric, it is perhaps the only "folly" in Corsica.

Ville di Pietrabugno

Set near the central ridge of Cape Corsica, this little village, or more exactly, commune, includes several hamlets, such as Guaïtella and Alzeto which form the ancient centre of the commune.
Worth visiting: the baroque church of Saint Lucy with its fine interior décor and organ, also several chapels including those of Mont San Colombano and of Santa Felicita and San Pancrazio. The devastated ruins of the church of "Giovu" are also of interest. Visit the web site : http://www.pietrabugno.com/

San Martino di Lota

In a grandiose setting of sea and forest, the village is scattered over a ridge in the middle of cultivated terraces. The fine parish church dedicated to Saint Martin (San Martinu) dates from the 17th century. The imposing classic-style nave adjoins a ruined chapel. Inside the sanctuary, there is a fine altar-piece made by the monks of the monastery of Mola.
The church square - "U sacraziu", or holy place. Originally, the dead were buried inside the church, in the "Arca" or common grave. Then, due to lack of space, it was on the square that the burials were done, and then a cemetery was established in 1812. The tradition of Palm Sunday is very strong in this typical village. So, during the week before Palm Sunday, several inhabitants, one is tempted to say artists, weave palms which are displayed on the feast-day. The 17th century Capuchin monastery was converted into a “château” in the 19th century by Count Cagninacci. (hamlet of Mola).

Santa Maria di Lota

This commune is made up of several hamlets spread over the hill-side in the traditionally Corsican rural style; it also overlooks the sea. Some splendid old houses and the classic-style Santa Maria Church are remarkable.
The hamlet of Figarella (previously a fig plantation) is remarkable for the quality and the elegance of its houses.
The small port of the village, Miomo, has become a very popular seaside resort, given a certain cachet by its 16th century Genoese tower by the sea-side.