Petreto-Bicchisano offers a variety of cultural and practical highlights: lanes lined with 16th-century buildings, the history of the parish church of Saint-Nicolas, the Bronze Age site of Settiva, as well as fishing and local produce. Pont d’Abra is a Genoese stone bridge over the Taravo. If you are looking for a hotel, you can first consider whether you are mainly interested in village architecture and cultural heritage, or more in activities and culinary discoveries.
Village Architecture and Public Spaces
In the upper part of Petreto-Bicchisano, you can stroll through lanes lined with numerous 16th-century buildings. Architectural details catch the eye along the way, and public fountains and a shady square are also part of this village scene. The walk therefore takes in more than individual façades: lanes, fountains and the square form different facets of the village’s public spaces. Those interested in architecture can consider the details on the buildings alongside the village’s public areas.
Saint-Nicolas and the Former Monastery
The parish church of Saint-Nicolas was rebuilt between 1874 and 1878 on the site of an older church. According to historical research, the former Franciscan monastery of Saint-François d’Istria was founded as early as 1602 by the notable figures Ercole and Federico d’Istria. The dates mark different milestones: the monastery’s foundation in 1602 and the church’s reconstruction from 1874 to 1878.
The church preserves furnishings from the former monastery. These include a polychrome altar, as well as statues, chapels and paintings listed in the register of historic monuments. The furnishings transferred from the monastery make the connection between monastery and church tangible, adding another chapter to the local heritage alongside the buildings’ history.
Pont d’Abra: Stone Bridge and Bathing Spot
Ponti Vecchiu, also known as Pont d’Abra, is a Genoese stone bridge over the Taravo. By decree of 10 November 1976, Pont d’Abra was classified as a historic monument. The bridge therefore has its own historical significance alongside the building history of Saint-Nicolas and the village lanes.
The bathing spot at Pont d’Abra is unsupervised. If you would like to swim there, check the local bathing conditions and safety beforehand. The fact that the bathing spot is unsupervised is just as important for planning as whether you are interested in the bridge as a historic structure.
Settiva and the Bronze Age
The archaeological site of Settiva lies near the village and dates from the Bronze Age. It includes a burial chamber made of large stone slabs, with a vestibule partitioned off by stone slabs. These structural features distinguish Settiva from the later church and monastery buildings. Chronologically, the site predates the monastery’s foundation in 1602 and the reconstruction of the parish church in the 19th century.
Fishing with Seasonal Rules
The fishing stretch “U mondu di u pesciu d’Abra” was established by the Collectivity of Corsica and is designated as a no-kill stretch. During the river fishing season, this approximately 1.5-kilometre stretch is governed by the rules for first-category fishing waters. Caught fish must be released. Unlike the historic buildings, the season and fishing regulations are directly relevant to planning here. As seasonal conditions and regulations may change, check the current rules before fishing.
Cheese and Orchards
The Coopérative U Taravu processes locally produced sheep’s and goat’s milk into Sartenais-style cheeses, including one with a flower-covered rind, seasonal Brocciu and pressed Tomme cheese. Biortu welcomes visitors for snacks, crêpes, fruit juices and orchard visits. The two offerings have different focuses: U Taravu is about milk processing and cheese, while Biortu offers refreshments and orchards. Before travelling, confirm product availability and visiting arrangements with U Taravu; with Biortu, check current visitor options, as arrangements may change.
Discover more destinations: Grosseto-Prugna, Sartène, Olivese, Lecci, Sotta, Casaglione, Porto-Vecchio, Ajaccio
For the broader travel overview: Corse-Du-Sud.
