Santuario della Madonna del Monte
An ancient sanctuary on the hillside above Marciana where Napoleon once stayed briefly. A walk up the Way of the Cross path offers distant views of Corsica.
The Sanctuary of the Madonna del Monte sits on the slopes of Monte Giove at about 630 meters, roughly 1.5 km west of Marciana. It is one of the island's oldest pilgrimage sites. The church that stands today was built mainly in the 16th and 17th centuries, and beside it is a semicircular fountain known as the “stone seat.” In the summer of 1814, Napoleon briefly met his Polish lover, Maria Walewska, at a nearby hermitage. From the village, a stone path known as the Via Crucis (Way of the Cross) takes about 40 minutes to climb, with 14 Stations of the Cross along the way. The summit offers wide views, with Corsica visible in the distance. Admission is free. The path is steep, so wear sneakers.
Opening hours
Open all day; accessible on foot
Nearby sights
- Marciana & Fortezza Pisana
- Monte Capanne Cable Car
- Sant'Andrea Beach
- Marciana Marina
- Elviscot Wreck, Pomonte
- Fetovaia Beach
- Cavoli Beach
- Marina di Campo