Monticello’s cultural character reflects several layers of history: the historic village centre, with its narrow lanes and vaulted passageways, sits alongside religious buildings, works of art and the Saint Roch tradition. The dates range from the Tour de Saleccia, built as a Genoese coastal tower in 1570, to an organ from 1733 and a painting from the mid-18th century. If you would like to plan your stay around your cultural interests, you can explore the village layout, church art and traditional customs as distinct focal points.

Village Centre and Church Art

The historic village centre includes narrow lanes and vaulted passageways around the parish church of San Sebastianu. The church dates from the early 17th century. Inside is the painting “Le martyre de saint Sébastien”: painted on canvas, it is dated 1710 and listed as a historic monument. This makes it possible to distinguish the date of the church from the later date of the painting—two historical layers at a single religious site.

Chapels with Distinct Locations and Dates

The confraternity chapel of San Carlo Borromée, A Casazza, is in the heart of the village and dates from 1697. It houses a Corsican-Italian organ from 1733 and a painting by the artist Giacomo Grandi from the mid-18th century. The two furnishings are associated with different kinds of dates: the organ with a specific year, and the painting with a period within the century.

The Chapel of Saint-François-Xavier, also known as San Francescu, is on the heights southeast of the village. The chapel dates from the 17th century, and its dome from the 18th century; both are listed as historic monuments. The two chapels therefore differ both in location—the heart of the village and the heights southeast of it—and in the dates recorded for their construction.

Tour de Saleccia: From Tower to Base

The Tour de Saleccia was built as a Genoese coastal tower in 1570. The tower was completely destroyed, and only its base, above the sea to the west of Saleccia Bay, remains. It is therefore important to distinguish between the year of construction and what has survived: 1570 refers to the original tower, while the present-day description concerns the remaining base.

Saint Roch on 16 August

Another aspect of the local culture is the tradition honouring Saint Roch, also known as Saint-Roch or San Roccu. It traditionally takes place on 16 August and includes a Mass at the church of San Francescu and a procession. Residents carry the saint’s statue, and horses are blessed. After the ceremony, chickpea soup is served free of charge. Unlike the buildings and works of art, the traditional date is an important point of reference when planning. If you would like to plan your trip around the celebration, check the date in advance.

You can give these different themes different weight depending on your interests: the lanes and passageways lead to the village centre, the churches and chapels offer tangible architectural and art history, and Saint Roch brings together a traditional date, Mass, a procession and soup. You can decide whether to focus your stay on historic buildings, religious art or the traditional celebration.

More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Ghisonaccia, Aléria, Urtaca, Patrimonio, Mazzola, Valle-di-Rostino, Santa-Lucia-di-Mercurio, Ortale

Back to the regional travel guide: Haute-Corse.