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Corbara: A monastery filled with history
Located in the heart of Balagne, overlooking the Corsican maquis, with the Mediterranean as its only horizon, Corbara Monastery stands in the Corsican mountains and represents for many islanders the spearhead of the religious heritage of the island.
The Franciscan construction
This monastery certainly has a rich history. Built nearly 600 years ago by the local bishop, it was an orphanage until 1456, before becoming a Franciscan monastery until the Revolution. Indeed, in 1791, after being ransacked and pillaged, it became national property.
In 1852, the Bishop of Ajaccio, Monsignor Casanelli D'Istria, ensured that the monastery, abandoned for over 50 years, would be entrusted to religious again, specifically to Dominicans.
The Dominican development
In 1854, Dominican authorities ordered Father Besson, prior of the Rome monastery, to travel to Corsica to assess the possibility of their establishing there. He was convinced by the white sandy beaches and by this hostile terrain at first glance, but which abounds with vineyards and olive groves naturally inviting calm and contemplation.
Joined by Father Bourard, with whom he signed the takeover documents, the creation of 12 cells (the name given to the monks' rooms) then began.
A year later, three lay brothers (craftsman monks) were sent to accelerate work on the ruined bell tower, and by the end of the year, 12 additional cells were created (making 24 if you're following).
The monastery's great boom came in 1860 with the arrival of Italian monks, marking the beginning of a prosperous era for the place. For nearly 20 years, they continued the mission entrusted to these members of the Order of Preachers: educating island youth and preaching throughout the island.
This mission was further fulfilled when a theology school was created with the arrival of French monks in 1894.
The tumult of the 20th century
In 1903, disaster struck. The Dominicans were expelled following the separation of Church and State laws, and the monastery was abandoned for over 10 years before becoming during World War I an internment camp for German and Austro-Hungarian civilians.
During this period, some prisoners began painting daily life in their cells, still visible today (you can see them appear in the France 3 video just below).
The renaissance with the Brothers of Saint John
In 1926, the tenacious Dominicans made their comeback, negotiating with the municipality and remaining for nearly 66 years before deciding to leave the island and entrust the monastery to the community of the Brothers of Saint John.
The monastery is currently undergoing renovation, with work planned in two phases. The first phase, beginning in September 2023, will focus on restoring the roof and the west and east facades. The second phase will include restoration of the bell tower, lightning rod protection, and renovation of the bell electrification system.
The Saint Dominic Monastery of Corbara is a living witness to Corsican history, a place of spirituality, culture, and a true jewel to preserve. For over 400 years, religious have succeeded one another in praying the Liturgy of the Hours.
Whether you discovered it through Bienvenue au monastère or during your GR20 hike, we can only encourage you to stay there to find the luxury of silence, the calm of the maquis, and the beauty of the Island of Beauty.
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