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Religious traditionsdu Sartenais Valinco Taravo: a living heritage ✨

Religious tradition

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Dive into the heart of a land where faith and tradition have been intertwined for centuries. In the Sartenais Valinco Taravo region, religious celebrations punctuate the year and reveal the soul of a people deeply attached to its roots. Between solemn processions, sacred songs and age-old brotherhoods, each village fervently perpetuates an intangible heritage that is unique to Corsica.

Religious tradition is very much alive in Corsica, and is part of the way of life, particularly in Sartène with the Good Friday procession “U Catenacciu”. Many processions are celebrated around their Saint: Saint Erasmus patron saint of fishermen in Propriano, St Antoine de Padoue in Campomoro….

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U Catenacciu di Sartè

The exact origin of the U Catenacciu procession remains unknown, but this age-old tradition has stood the test of time, bearing witness to the region’s religious fervour. Every Good Friday, in the dead of night, Sartène relives Christ’s ascent to Calvary with a poignant Way of the Cross through the narrow streets of the old town.

The anonymous penitent, dressed in an alb and a red bonnet, carries a solid wooden cross weighing 33 kg and drags a heavy chain attached to his ankle. At his side, another penitent dressed in white, representing Simon of Cyrene, helps him carry his burden. They are followed by eight black-clad penitents carrying Christ, flanked by the local brotherhood. All walk barefoot in solemn silence.

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Saint Erasme

Another very popular religious festival in the Sartenais Valinco Taravo region is that of Saint Erasmus in Propriano.

Saint Erasmus is the patron saint of sailors and fishermen, protecting them from the dangers of storms at sea.

A mass is held in his honour every year on 02 June. Carried in a procession through the streets of Propriano, he is then taken aboard a boat for an outing at sea followed by many of the faithful. Offshore, long sirens sounded, before blessed flowers were thrown into the water and a tribute was paid to all those who had perished at sea.

Emotions run high in the Gulf of Valinco. With the patron saint back in port, the banquet and festivities could begin. To the delight of the Proprianais and their guests.

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Mercy

Every year, Propriano fervently celebrates the religious festival of Mercy, an event deeply rooted in the history and spiritual culture of the Sartenais Valinco Taravo region.

Organised around the church of Notre-Dame de la Miséricorde, this festival is one of the most important in the region. It honours the Virgin of Mercy, patroness of the town, with a moving procession through the streets of Propriano, Corsican liturgical songs and a traditional mass followed by festive gatherings.

A true testament to Corsica’s religious heritage, this festival is also a great opportunity to discover the soul of the village, a blend of spirituality and conviviality. On this page, find out more about the history of the Feast of Mercy, its programme, its highlights and practical information on how to attend.

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Other religious holidays

  • Propriano, Olmeto, Belvédère-Campomoro

    Propriano: Our Lady of Mercy: 18 March: procession

    On Good Friday, procession through the streets of the town

    Saint Erasmus: 02 June: procession at sea

    Saint Marie: 15 August: procession on the evening of 14 August

    Olmeto: Holy Spirit, celebrated at Pentecost in the Church, then on Monday, pilgrimage to the Chapel of the Holy Spirit

    Belvedere Campomoro: Saint Anthony: 13 June

    Saint Laurent: 10 August

  • In Sartène, Granace, Foce Bilzese

    Sartène: Saint Côme and Saint Damien: 26 September

    Good Friday: Catenacciu procession

    Saint Anthony: 13 June

    Saint Mary: 15 August

    Granace: Saint Mary 15 August

    Foce Bilzese: Saint Michael: 29 September

  • In Fozzano, Arbellara, Viggianello, Sainte Marie Figaniella

    Fozzano: Our Lady of the Rosary: 8 October

    Trinity Sunday

    Arbellara: Saint Roch: 16 August

    Saint Gavin: 25 October

    Viggianello: Saint Sauveur : 9 November

    Sainte Marie Figaniella: Saint Mary : 15 August

  • In Bicchisano, Petreto, Sollacaro, Casalabriva, Argiusta, Moca Croce

    Bicchisano: St John the Baptist: 24 June

    Petreto: Saint Nicolas : 06 December

    Sollacaro : Saint Roch: 16 August

    Saint Albert: first Sunday in September

    Casalabriva: Saint Michael: 29 September

    Argiusta: Saint Hippolytus and Saint Cassian: 13 August

    Moca Croce: Nativity: 8 September

  • In Grossa, Bilia, Giuncheto

    Grossa: Nativity: 1 September and 8 September

    Bilia: Saint Lawrence: 10 August

    Giuncheto: Saint Peter and Saint Paul: 29 June