In Piedicroce, Upper Corsica, the San Francescu d’Orezza convent is set to receive €500,000 from the 2026 Heritage Lottery to contribute to its preservation. This funding, allocated as part of the Heritage Mission, was presented to the Corsican Regional Authority at a meeting held on September 19, during the European Heritage Days.
Aid for a building in peril
Founded by the Franciscans in 1485 and later enlarged in the 17th century, the convent is now in a state of serious disrepair after decades of neglect and expo to the elements. Located in the commune of Piedicroce, in the Castagniccia region, it is associated with important episodes in Corsican political history. In 1735, an island government was proclaimed there, according to the Heritage Foundation.
The convent is among the 18 emblematic regional sites selected for the 2026 Heritage Lottery. The Ministry of Culture announced this selection on April 15; the amount of funding was subsequently set at €500,000, the maximum amount announced for this program. ( culture.gouv.fr )
A project led by the Corsican Regional Authority
The Corsican Regional Authority is leading the restoration project. The stated objective is to consolidate and preserve the site, then make it accessible to the public and promote it as a place of remembrance. The Heritage Foundation presents the convent as a site linked to the Strada Paolina, a route dedicated to the history of Corsican independence.
The €500,000 grant does not, however, constitute the total budget for the project. In its update of September 16, the Heritage Foundation reported €809,582 in funding raised or allocated to the project, including donations and other forms of support. ( fondation-patrimoine.org )
The next steps are yet to be defined.
The initial 2026 budget of the Corsican Regional Authority mentions preliminary work to secure the convent. A project management contract has also been awarded to prepare for the These elements indicate that the project is progressing in its preparation, but do not allow for confirmation of a start date for construction or a potential opening to the public. ( isula.corsica )
For the residents of Piedicroce and Castagniccia, the issue is therefore both a matter of heritage and local community: saving a historic building and, ultimately, transforming it into a place for visitors to learn about and educate the public. The detailed schedule of the work and access arrangements for the site are yet to be announced.
Source: Corsica – Continuous news – actu.fr
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