Away from the city, nestling in the Bastia countryside on the heights of Bastia, the Notre-dame de Monserato chapel, founded in the 15th century, contains a rare historic monument: a «scala santa» or holy staircase that recalls the Passion of Christ.
This relic, which few monuments in the world can boast of possessing, was granted to the people of Bastia in 1816 by Pope Pius Vii for their help to the religious exiled in Corsica during the Concordat. According to Christian tradition, a special indulgence is attached to these velvet-covered holy stairs: the faithful who climb them on their knees with contrition are absolved of all their sins. a place of faith steeped in history and a must-see to visit on foot, just a few minutes' walk from the town centre.