At the iron starting sign, cross the Place de l'Eglise and head towards the Mairie, following the sky-blue arrows.

Church of San Ghjorghju

A building of Romanesque origin, whose existence is attested by 16th-century writings, it became a parish church in the 17th century and was greatly enlarged at the same time. The next building campaign took place in 1837-1838 after lightning struck the church, causing extensive damage. The bell tower was also built in 1838. A final restoration campaign took place in the last quarter of the 19th century.

Turn left after the stairs to cross the botanical garden.

Quenza Botanical Garden

This modern botanical garden retains the look of the traditional gardens of the Alta Rocca. Cultivating the slopes is a skill, an art that involves both construction and cultivation. Here, we don't move mountains, we simply hold them in place thanks to clever terraces built from local stone. Each has its own vocation, from vegetable garden plants to aromatic plants, some of which are very old and were probably already being eaten in the Iron Age... Take the time to stroll around and discover the names of the many species replanted here.

Chapel of Santa Maria Assunta

Better known as the Chapelle de l'An Mil (Chapel of the Year 1000) because of the inscription to the right of the side door, this is a fine example of a Romanesque chapel, once located on the main travel routes of the region's inhabitants. The interior features magnificent painted frescoes decorating the apse. It is part of the Itinera Romanica discovery trail of Romanesque buildings.
Find out more by reading the orange interpretation panels.

Turn right out of the garden.

House Roccu Francescu Colonna Cesari

Considered one of the most emblematic figures in the history of 18th-century Corsica, Pascal Paoli, appointed General of the Nation in 1755, proclaimed the island's independence after four centuries of Genoese domination. The intervention of France, who came to lend a helping hand to the Genoese, put an end to the RIPUBLICA CORSA after 14 years of independence.
On 12 June 1769, Pascal Paoli arrived in Quenza with what was left of his army. Despite their bravery, most of the "I Nazionali" had been decimated at the battle of Ponte Novu.
Defeated and fallen, it was here, in this house, that he was welcomed with honours for one night by Uraziu Quenza and Count Roccu Francescu Colonna Cesari before heading for England.
After 20 years in exile in London, Pascal Paoli took advantage of the Revolution of 1789 to return to his homeland. However, the English deprived him of any hope of governing and seeing the rebirth of a sovereign and independent state on his island. He was once again forced to return to England. On 5 February 1807, the Father of the Corsican Nation died at the age of 81.

"My whole life, I dare say, has been an uninterrupted oath to freedom", Pascal Paoli.

Turn left at the wash-house and continue along the path to the chapel.

Garden of Contemporary Art & Quenza Castle

Discover the Jardin d'Art Contemporain, dedicated to promoting art in rural areas, the last refuge for works created at each edition of the Alta Rocca sculptural biennials. It is located close to the "Château" park. This Florentine-inspired park is unique in Corsica for its proportions and geographical location.

Follow the path in the opposite direction back to the botanical gardens.

Turn left up the lane.

Turn right.

Turn right between the houses, following the sky-blue arrows.

Turn left down the lane.

Take the small climb on the right.

Turn right onto the main street.

Turn left.

Take the small lane on the left.

Turn right onto the main road to reach the starting point.