Sari-d'Orcino lies in a green landscape facing the Mediterranean, at an altitude of 350 to 460 metres. It includes gardens, vineyards, orchards, citrus groves, meadows and summer pastures. The village extends across several hamlets, located between 500 metres and 5 kilometres from one another. Renting a holiday apartment in Sari-d'Orcino can be part of your personal travel plans.
Culture and History
Settlement in Sari-d'Orcino has been documented since prehistoric times. Some hamlets date back to the founding of the village, while others originated with its reconstruction at the end of the 15th century.
The historical remains include the ruins of Saint-Jean de Cinarca. They date from the 12th century, were destroyed in the 15th century, restored in 1560 and finally abandoned at the end of the 16th century. By decree of 23 July 1976, the ruins were classified as a historical monument.
San Ghjuvan Battista is a Romanesque church dating from the 11th to 12th centuries and was the Pieve church of Cinarca. The present-day parish church of Saint-Martin developed from a Franciscan convent church built in the first quarter of the 18th century and was extended and restored between 1873 and 1877.
The chapel of Santa Reparata was built in the Middle Ages, rebuilt at the end of the 19th century and restored in 1994. The pilgrimage to Santa Reparata takes place every year on 8 October. At the same time, the chapel is symbolically connected with the history of the valley.
Santa Maria is a chapel from the early 19th century in Acqua in ghjù. Its interior was completely restored in 2000 by Bernard Vallée. The chapel has an altar decorated using a traditional faux-marble technique, as well as a stylised Stations of the Cross made of Bruges faience. San Martinu also contains two polychrome wooden statues from the 18th century, originating from the former convent chapel.
Hiking and Vineyards
The centre of Sari-d'Orcino can be explored on foot via small squares, stairways and granite passageways. Above the village, Santa Reparata et la Croix offers an easy walk. The hike to Punta San Eliseo from Sari-d'Orcino follows an unmarked route, takes six hours, covers 13 kilometres there and back, and involves approximately 1,000 metres of ascent.
The Col de Vergio–Punta San Damiano route is an easy, two-hour hike on a well-cleared path. The landscape includes vineyards. Clos d'Alzeto offers an on-site walk through the vineyards. Visits to the Clos d'Alzeto winery are possible by reservation.
Getting There
Sari-d'Orcino can be reached from Ajaccio by car via the D81 towards Sagone, followed by an inland road. In Sari-d'Orcino, parking is available along the road and around the village.
