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Origin and history

The church of Saint-Nicolas d'Aullène, located in the Corsican village of the same name, is an elongated plan building built mainly during the first half of the 19th century. It replaces an ancient medieval building dedicated to Saint Antioch, which was reported as old as 1587 by Bishop Mascardi. The present church is distinguished by its unique nave with apparent structure, its lateral chapels vaulted in a cradle, and a two-span choir, one of which is vaulted. Its architecture reflects local traditions, including its granite bell tower, characteristic of the villages of Upper Taravo and Alta Rocca.

The bell tower, square and on three levels, is surmounted by an octagonal bell with a dome. He was listed as a Historic Monument in 1990 for his heritage interest. The archives mention major works in the 18th and 19th centuries, with attested interventions by master masons such as Antonio Lucchini and Tomaso Lanfranchi in 1837, or Pierre Lovichi in 1844, under the direction of the departmental architect Cotin. These changes shaped the current aspect of the building, mixing medieval heritage and modern adaptations.

The history of the church is also marked by reports of apostolic visitors. In 1686 Bishop Spinola noted the "decency" of the building, then being enlarged with a secondary altar dedicated to the Blessed Sacrament and a bell tower under construction. These elements bear witness to the religious and community importance of the place, which has evolved over the centuries while maintaining emblematic architectural features of interior Corsica.

The monument is part of a rural landscape where parish churches played a central role, both a place of worship and a symbol of village cohesion. Its sober style, adapted to local resources (granit, wood), illustrates the adaptation of religious forms to the geographical and economic constraints of the region. The presence of side chapels and a structured choir also reflects the evolution of liturgical practices between the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries.

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