Detail Rosace Eglise BonifacioDetail Rosace Eglise Bonifacio
©Detail Rosace Eglise Bonifacio|David Darmanin
Religious heritageUnique churches
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Bonifacio’s churches

Bonifacio stands out from the rest of Corsica for many of the singularities linked to its history. Belonging to the Republic of Genoa for almost six centuries, Bonifacio has inherited a distinct architecture and religious culture that sets it apart from other Corsican regions. This influence is reflected in the town’s churches and places of worship. There is a high concentration of religious buildings in a relatively small urban area, characteristic of a rich and prosperous medieval town: churches in a variety of architectural styles, chapels, oratories…

Two must-see churches

Sainte-Marie-Majeure and Saint-Dominique

The church of Sainte-Marie-Majeure is surrounded by gutters that collect rainwater from a communal cistern beneath the loggia. This Romanesque parish church was the nerve center of the city’s life in medieval times. Public affairs, sentences and trade were discussed under its Loggia.

The church of Saint Dominique was much admired by Prosper Mérimée. Listed as a historic monument in 1862, it is the only example of Gothic architecture in Corsica. Its magnificent architecture makes it a jewel to be discovered.

Detail Facade Ogive Eglise BonifacioDetail Facade Ogive Eglise Bonifacio
©Detail Facade Ogive Eglise Bonifacio|David Darmanin

    Other churches to visit

    • Eglise Saint Jean-Baptiste: this charming church at the crossroads of picturesque lanes is pure Catholic tradition. It is the headquarters of the Confrérie de la Miséricorde.
    • Eglise Sainte-Croix: this church is famous for housing what is supposed to be a fragment of the true Cross of Christ.
    • Eglise Saint Erasme: The only one of its kind, this harbor-side church features a neo-Byzantine style. It houses the fishermen’s and seafarers’ brotherhood.
    • Chapelle Saint Roch, built in 1528 on the site of the last victim of the plague. This recently restored chapel is also known as the “Patron Saint of plague victims”. This beautiful edifice overlooks the cliffs of Bonifacio, offering an exceptional view.
    Eglises BonifacioEglises Bonifacio
    ©Eglises Bonifacio|Giovanni Santi Laurini
    Eglises BonifacioEglises Bonifacio
    ©Eglises Bonifacio|Giovanni Santi Laurini
    Eglises BonifacioEglises Bonifacio
    ©Eglises Bonifacio|Giovanni Santi Laurini

      Holy Week

      The fervor of Bonifacian brotherhoods

      Holy Week is celebrated all over Corsica, but Bonifacio’s celebration is impressive, as it boasts the largest number of confraternities in Corsica. The brotherhoods of Saint-Barthélemy, Sainte-Marie-Madeleine, Saint-Erasme, Sainte-Croix and Saint-Jean-Baptiste organize processions through the streets of the town. Until the Easter vigil, the processions of the brotherhoods begin their Way of the Cross, with passion and fervor.

      Semaine Sainte Procession Nuit Sainte Marie Majeure BonifacioSemaine Sainte Procession Nuit Sainte Marie Majeure Bonifacio
      ©Semaine Sainte Procession Nuit Sainte Marie Majeure Bonifacio|Giovanni Santi Laurini

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