Sant'Antonino is a town in North Corsica perched at an altitude of 500 m on a granite peak near L'Île-Rousse and Calvi, between the sea and the mountains. It is explored on foot through narrow cobbled streets and a network of vaulted galleries, all forming a descending spiral.
Understand
[edit]As a stronghold of the Counts Savelli, Sant'Antonino was also a place of refuge for the inhabitants of Balagne when pirates attacked, which is undoubtedly believed due to its location. Sant'Antonino is also called the Eagle's Nest of Balagne. It is made up of around 75 houses, tightly knit together and wrapped around a granite peak, forming a kind of labyrinth to better resist any potential invaders.
Get in
[edit]By plane
[edit]The nearest airport is in Calvi.
By car
[edit]In Cateri the D413 begins which leads to Sant'Antonino.
By ship
[edit]The nearest ferry harbour is in L'Île-Rousse.
By train
[edit]The railway runs under the coast, there are stations for example in Algajola, Calvi and L'Île-Rousse.
Get around
[edit]Sant'Antonino is accessible only by foot, the streets are too narrow for cars and even bicycles are hindered by the steps.
See
[edit]
The old town of Sant'Antonino with its winding streets is beautiful, but above all it is worth observing the view over the Balagne to the sea on one side and the high mountains on the other. In the parking lot in front of the village is the Annonciation church from the 11th century.
- 1 Annonciation church (Église de l'Annonciation). The religious building dates back to the 11th century. Remodelled, with a tall, four-storey bell tower, its architecture is very sober. It is located on the main square.
