Romanesque in Corsica
The Romanesque style in Corsica originated from the relationship between the island and the Italian city-states Pisa and Genoa at the beginning of the 2nd millennium. The second half of the 11th and 12th centuries were the heyday of Romanesque art in Corsica . This results chapels , cathedrals , churches and Franciscan monasteries . The characteristic of the developed Pisan style is the polychrome masonry. The mostly small buildings fit harmoniously into the landscape.
The preceding epoch, from the end of the 9th century, belongs to the early or pre-Romanesque . About 10 country churches and chapels date from this time, today mostly only in ruins. The most notable example is San Giovanni Battista near Corte , whose baptistery has been preserved.
Geneviève Maracchini-Mazel (1926–2014), who excavated some of the churches, estimates that there were once over 300 Pisan sacred buildings on Corsica. Today many have been destroyed, dilapidated or overgrown in the maquis . The low esteem for the buildings meant that they were sometimes used as houses or cattle sheds, such as “San Giovanni Battista” on the Genoese bridge (Pont génois) over the Tavignano near Piedicorte . The mostly small buildings with their simple facades are architecturally modest, often with only one nave, with roof constructions made of wood, which are covered with 'teghie' (shingles made from local stones).
Three architectural forms can be distinguished:
- Basilica style (three-aisled structures): La Canonica south of Bastia , Ancienne Cathédrale de Nebbio near St-Florent .
- Rectangular floor plan: San Michele di Murato and San Parteo south of Bastia, among others
- Double capsid churches (rare in Corsica): Santa Christina (Valle-di-Campoloro near Cervione ), Santa Mariona near Corte and Santa Maria della Chiappella , ( Cap Corse )
At the beginning of the 12th century, the Genoese challenged the Pisans for influence on the island. In 1195 they conquer Bonifacio and then the entire island. Genoa's rule over Corsica lasted almost 500 years. The churches continue to be built, like San Michele de Murato in Murato , with the oldest Genoese fresco , from the 13th or 14th century, in the Pisan or Ligurian style. For example the churches of Piève , Santa Reparata in Morosaglia and Santa Catarina and San Michele in Sisco all from the 16th century.
See also
literature
- Geneviève Maracchini-Mazel: Les églises romanes de Corse . Klincksieck, Paris 1967.