Sartene
The town of Sartene is located in the Gulf of Valinco, at the feet of a grand mountainous cliff and stretched along the Valley of Rizzanese. A breathtaking seaside town, Sartene is the most symbolic of Corsica’s villages, the centre of some of the most important events in the island’s history and home to its most valuable and prized cultural and artistic treasures. Reminiscent of the quaint French villages of centuries ago, Sartene captures the true spirit of Corsica, its peasant roots and rich traditions.
With views and scenery unlike anywhere else on the island, Sartene is the best place to admire the unique and diverse environment of Corsica, the impressive mountains capped by the bright blue sky, the verdant valleys and hills, the lush fields and plains and, of course, the incredibly clear and pristine sea.
A town with so much history and pride, Sartene celebrates its roots with fascinating traditional festivals all year round. One of the most vibrant and evocative of these festivals is held during the Easter period when the townspeople recreate the Passion of the Christ. An incredibly ancient festival, this celebration is a profound symbol of Sartene’s religious traditions and is incredibly suggestive and captivating for visitors and locals alike.
Like many towns in Corsica, Sartene is home to striking architectural treasures including the Church of St. Maria, the Square of the Genovese Governor, the Square of Liberation and the Quarter of St Anna. An important town throughout the territory’s rich past, Sartene is also the location of some of the islands most valued cultural sites. The Museum of Prehistory, for example, is custodian of priceless ruins and documents which retell the ancient origins and history of the island. The Dolmen of Fontanaccia and the Spin’A Cavallu Bridge are also striking symbols of Corsica’s past; whilst Roccaforte and the Rocks in the nearby town of Pedaggio reflect the area’s breathtaking natural beauty and splendor.
Historically, Sartene has always been a town dominated by war and inequality. A beautiful and grandiose city, Sartene was controlled during the Middle Ages by various important and local noble families. After a short lived period as an independent commune governed by Pasquale Paoli, Sartene become part of the Republic of Genoa, suffering many invasions. In 1768, the town finally fell to the French but continued to endure decades of violence and bloodshed brought on by the local nobility and those who sought autonomy. Yet despite such a turbulent past, Sartene today reflects very little of its centuries of wars, instead inspiring and captivating visitors with its characteristic natural splendor and cultural beauty.
