CATHOLIC CHURCHES

Latin Church
In Cargèse, the Greek Church and the Latin Church conceal, both, an infinity of testimonys of the local history. An infinity of testimonys of the local history. Admittedly, the first religious building, because undoubtedly of its "exotic" incense perfume, exerts a greater attraction.
However, the Latin Church deserves undoubtedly a visit. The current church is a nave, on which open up two lateral altars in hemicycle. The chancel is seperated from the nave by a communion table. The vault, in cradle, rests on a profiled cornice, Supported by Corinthian pilasters. The building partially preserved a neo-classic decoration (first half of the XIX th century). The wall paintings of the chancel were restored lately. A square bell-tower, surmounted of an octagonal skylight, rises on the northern side. The interior frontage is chanted of flat pilasters and is crowned of an undulating pediment. Its lateral elevations are bored of high windows, illuminating directly the nave .its bedside is round. On the whole, an interesting and homogeneous building. It is interesting to know that the Greek priest Elie Papadacci adopted at that time the Latin rite involving with him the Petrolacci family and a part of the Dragacci family.
A little history...
Beforehand, a little history gathered from the historic buildings. In 1817, the heads of nonGreek households meet and decide the launching of a subscription, for the construction of a church of Latin rite.
A certain Antoine Andreani makes donation of a ground. But times are hard... The first blow of pickaxe will intervene only eight years later. The building work extend from 1825 to 1828. They will require even "helps" from the Ministry of the Worships. In the documents of files, one finds mention of multiple distributions. Thus, in 1835 the roof is carried by the wind and, in 1845, interior installations are still not made. The bell-tower, finally, will be built only since 1847.
Alive symbol of the tradition, it replaces the too narrow primitive Church. Started about 1852, it was hardly completed but 20 years later. The faithful ones worked in this construction each Sunday after the mass until the night fall.
The sanctuary, as in any Oriental temple is separated from the nave by a partition out of wooden covered with holy images.