San Martino di lota
Scattered among the holm oak forests of Cap Corse, the village of san Martinu di Lota stretches across the foothills between sea and mountains.
Nestling in a veritable «green lung» to the north of the conurbation of Bastia, This municipality is scattered between eleven hamlets scattered over the hills and its seafront known for the pebble beaches of Grisgione and Pietranera.
In the interior of the valley, typical dwellings with exposed stone walls and roofs of teghje (slate roofs) are a reminder of Corsican rural life in days gone by. Everything here bears the mark of history.
Unmistakable for their neoclassical architecture, the American homes tell the amazing story of the Cap Corsins who left to make their fortune in trade in the Americas. These monuments, symbols of the social success of the «children of the country», give the visitor a glimpse of the Corsican way of life. San Martinu di Lota all its cachet in the same way as the Château Cagninacci. Built in the mid-seventeenth century, this former Capuchin convent has been transformed into a sublime Tuscan-style residence while retaining its religious soul.
Dedicated to Saint-Martin, patron saint of winegrowers, the commune has long maintained its agricultural vocation, based on viticulture and livestock farming.
Cultivated in terraces, vines once played a key role here, so much so that the land of San Martinu di Lota remain classified and registered in the «appellation d'origine contrôlée".« Corsican wines ». Today, the village is best known for its rich religious heritage of oratories and chapels. perched on the hamlet of’Acqualtu, The beautiful parish church dedicated to Saint-Martin contains a number of paintings, statues and tabernacles listed as historic monuments. The traditions associated with the church are also still very much alive. In the week leading up to Palm Sunday, the locals, guided by the members of the Santa Croce brotherhood, the holders of an ancestral skill that has been perpetuated since the 14th century, dress up in their artists' garb to weave the palms on display to the faithful on Good Friday. The symbol of a cultural heritage that has stood the test of time and survived the centuries.
«House of Americans»
Overlooking the Lota valley is the Graziani house, known as the «American house», built in the 19th century. These Palazzi are splendid residences built by Cap Corsins who made their fortune on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. True architectural treasures, they represent in themselves an exceptional heritage for the micro-region.
Did you know?
San Martino di Lota was the last home of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, the famous author of The Little Prince, before his final flight from Borgo airfield in 1944.
Walks around the village
Leaving from Grisgione, the Chemin du Moulin invites you to immerse yourself in the lush green landscapes of the Cape Corsica. This accessible route follows in the footsteps of the local rural heritage, between ancient mule tracks, cultivated terraces and fragrant scrubland.
Discover these picturesque villages with their rich heritage
These are places steeped in history, immersing visitors in the centuries that have made this land so rich, and speaking of the people who live here. All the more reason to get a taste of authentic Corsica, in the heart of the villages.