Construction of the chapel XIIe siècle (vers 1150–1175) (≈ 1163)
Pisane period, Romanesque style comparable to San Quilico
19 juillet 1977
First MH ranking
First MH ranking 19 juillet 1977 (≈ 1977)
Protection of ruins as a historical monument
29 août 2023
Change in classification
Change in classification 29 août 2023 (≈ 2023)
Precision of perimeter protected by arrest
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The ruins of the chapel Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Pruno, located at the place called Pieve, on Parcel No. 184 of section C of the cadastre of the commune, as shown in red on the plan annexed to the decree: classification by order of 19 July 1977 modified by order of classification of 29 August 2023
Key figures
Information non disponible - No character cited
Sources do not mention any specific historical actors
Origin and history
The chapel Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Pruno, located at the place called Pieve in the village of Figari (Corse-du-Sud), dates from the 12th century. It used to be the Pievania (main church of a religious constituency) of Figari, when the island was administered by the Republic of Pisa. Its ruins, characterized by walls of yellow and pink granite slabs cut regularly, testify to a careful Romanesque architecture. The north wall, however, is still topped by a rectangular archvolt, a rare defensive element for a chapel.
An arcade bell tower, contemporary of the building according to the analysis of its apparatus (identical to the rest of the construction), surmounted the facade. This particularity is notable, as most of the Romanesque bell-arcades in Corsica were rebuilt later. Stylistic comparisons with the chapel San Quilico (1150–1175) suggest a precise dating in the second half of the 12th century. The ruins were classified by order of 19 July 1977, modified on 29 August 2023 to specify the perimeter of protection.
The site illustrates the Pisan influence in medieval Corsica, marked by a centralized religious organization around the pièves (ecclesiastical territorial divisions). These buildings served both as places of worship, administrative landmarks and sometimes as refuges, as evidenced by the preserved murderer. Local granite, precisely exploited and cut, reflects advanced construction techniques for the time, while integrating into the Corsican mineral landscape.
