The land of the legend of Biscia…

The medieval village of Palasca dates back to the end of the 11th century. It was built in the era of the Marquis of Massa who settled in San Colombanu.
Come and see the Place de l’Eglise where the locals get together on a regular basis for festivities, card games and friendly football matches, not to mention the vigil a veghja, which is practiced by the local people at dusk.
If you are tempted by an after-dinner walk, from the Place de l’Eglise, go sott’a loghja (under the archway) and carry on walking for a few minutes until you reach Funtana Vechja. This is a well-known meeting place where over the years, many lovers have passed through here, to declare their undying love for one another under the starry sky of the summer evenings, on the white granite rock nearby.
If you carry on on the same footpath, you will be able to cool off with the fresh water of the Funtana Nova and breathe in the scent of fresh mint at the foot of this source, E Stupielle with water so light that it is believed you can drink several litres in one go. Take the time to admire the U Pinzu Guardiola, which stands over the village much like a protective watchman, in the shade of the thick maquis and surrounded by magnificent arbutus and holm oaks.

Come and try your hand at petanque, the national sport here in Palasca, on a specially prepared petanque pit.  If you feel like it, you could go down to visit Palasca train station which is still in service today and looks like the film-set for a spaghetti Western.

The village has its fair share of religious culture, it is under the protection of the Virgin Mary who is celebrated on the 15th August each year with a mass and procession, followed by an evening of dancing and laughter. The Baroque-style church of Palasca with a four-level bell-tower is known as Santa Maria Assunta, and was built in the second half of the 1500s. Pascal Paoli, General of Corsica’s sister was buried in this church. There is an organ which was built in 1833 by the only Corsican organ builder Anton Pietro Saladini, originally from Speloncato, and there are also a large number of masterpieces listed as Historical Monuments.

Now head towards the Plaine of Palasca! On one of the hiking trails in Balagne, you can discover the ancient village of E Spelonche which is in ruins today and bears witness to a rich farming past. If you listen carefully, the old monuments in this village will tell you all about the many barbarian invasions here throughout the 16th century, and suddenly you will feel as though you are being watched by the former inhabitants of the village.