Oletta is a town in Haute-Corse, 20 km south-west of Bastia.
Its territory of 26 km² stretches from Saint-Florent in the west to the edge of the road linking Bastia to Bigluglia and its pond, on the east coast of the island. Including marked reliefs (the Serra chain, the eastern ridge line where the highest point of the locality is located, the Zuccarello summit, at an altitude of 955 m), Oletta is crossed by the courses of the Aliso, in the plain, and includes the dam lake of Padula, vast of 26 hectares, below the village which has developed at an altitude of 250 m.
Center of a pie in the Middle Ages (territorial and religious district led by a rural church), the village which includes several districts and hamlets acquires real prosperity over the centuries thanks to the exploitation of silver mines, the plain remaining agricultural. During the revolt against the Genoese in the 18th century, the inhabitants played an active role.
Nowadays, the town has nearly 1,700 inhabitants: in the plain, wine is produced (Patrimonio appellation) and pastoralism (sheep farming) is still alive. In the village, heritage and culture are highlighted.
Benefiting from a preserved environment and an ideal location on the edge of Cap Corse, close to the coast, Oletta is a very pleasant stopover during a stay on the island.
The town has a rich heritage. If the Saint-François convent established in the Middle Ages was bought by a private individual (it was occupied by Franciscans until 1905 then by Benedictines until 1990), the whole still including nevertheless the chapel, the parish church Sant-Andria was rebuilt from 1777 to 1810. Listed in the Inventory, it has a rare triangular bell tower and on the facade, we note that the first level is topped by a triangular pediment topped by two towers. The interior is in the Baroque style, and the ceiling and the chancel are decorated with frescoes. The building houses first-rate, classified works. On the one hand, it is a 16th century triptych representing "the Virgin and Child between Saint Andrew and Saint Reparate", "the Annunciation" and "God the Father" (or Christ blessing): these paintings on wood installed in the side chapel of Notre-Dame-de-Piété are the subject of a pilgrimage. On the other hand, one can admire a painting of Sainte Cécile (XVIIIe)
probably coming from the former collection of Cardinal Joseph Fesch. Also visible are two paintings by Francesco Grandi and organs from 1888 from the Agati-Tronci House.
Next, see the Saint-Antoine chapel in the hamlet of Romanacce, the San Griolone chapel and the Sainte-Croix chapel, at a place called San Andria. The latter now houses a museum of sacred art: a film is shown there, a wall of stereoscopic images allows the observation of monuments and churches in three-dimensional perspective and a computer terminal presents a complete inventory of the religious heritage of the territory. Objects (copes, chalices, liturgical vestments) and documents are also on display. Open from June to September. Free entry. Information on +33 4 95 39 01 09.
In terms of heritage again, the "miracle house" near the Saint-Antoine chapel where the Virgin is said to have appeared in the 18th century, in the hamlet of Romanacce, the Rivarola tomb (noble family of Italian origin who rallied to Pascal Paoli) are also to be seen.
On the civil level, the very shape of the village and the hamlets built in the form of amphitheatres clinging to the mountain, dotted with charming residences or even real "palazzi", the flowery alleys and the squares give Oletta a charm and a first-rate character.
Finally, we can mention the garden of the Piazza Alessandrini palace (private property), which is listed in the heritage inventory.
On the cultural level, it should also be noted that the library regularly offers activities (readings, workshops, meetings: contact on +33 4 95 37 04 21) and that the Ange-Leccia contemporary art center programs exhibitions throughout of the year: open every day, free entry.
For hikers, finally, in addition to a route dedicated to heritage (for information on +33 4 95 39 01 09), the potential of the locality is very rich. Different routes allow you to discover the plain and the vineyards (tastings possible) but also natural areas (Lower Valley of Aliso and Poggio, Caves of Saint-Florent and Castiglioni). Without forgetting the lake of Padula, whose surroundings are protected for their biodiversity but which one can walk with pleasure, before returning to the villages or even the peaks which dominate it. Maps and information on +33 4 95 37 06 04.
