Authorised foundation 1506 (≈ 1506)
Papal authorization for the Minor Brothers.
1506-1509
Initial construction
Initial construction 1506-1509 (≈ 1508)
First modest convent erected.
1584
Restoration
Restoration 1584 (≈ 1584)
Works by Alexandre Sauli.
XVIIe siècle (3e quart)
Enlargement
Enlargement XVIIe siècle (3e quart) (≈ 1750)
Work in progress in 1671.
1791
Becoming national
Becoming national 1791 (≈ 1791)
Assigned to military genius.
1862-1884
Prison use
Prison use 1862-1884 (≈ 1873)
Infirmary for Casabianda.
1954
Sale in Saint Vincent de Paul
Sale in Saint Vincent de Paul 1954 (≈ 1954)
Acquisition by a bastia company.
1992
Municipal acquisition
Municipal acquisition 1992 (≈ 1992)
Purchased by the municipality of Cervione.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Convent with his church (Box D 53): inscription by decree of 24 January 1995
Key figures
Jules II - Pope
Authorizes the foundation in 1506.
Alexandre Sauli - Bishop of Aleria
Initiator of the restoration in 1584.
Monseigneur Mascardi - Apostolic Visitor
Mention seven religious in 1589.
Père Olivesi - Chronicler
Report work in 1671.
Origin and history
The convent of Saint Francis of Campoloro was founded in 1506 when Pope Julius II authorized the Friars Minor of the Observance to establish a convent in the piève of Campoloro. A first modest building was erected between 1506 and 1509. However, his condition deteriorated rapidly, requiring restoration in 1584, initiated by Bishop Alexander Sauli of Aleria. At that time, the convent welcomed seven religious, as Monsignor Mascardi reported in 1589.
During the third quarter of the seventeenth century, the convent was enlarged, although the work continued in 1671, according to the chronicles of Father Olivesi. It houses fifteen religious in the early eighteenth century. The French Revolution marked a turning point: in 1791 the buildings became national property and were assigned to military engineering, while the church remained dedicated to worship. Between 1862 and 1884, they served as infirmary and summer accommodation for Casabianda Penitentiary.
In the 20th century, the convent changed hands several times: sold to Saint Vincent de Paul de Bastia in 1954, it was finally acquired by the municipality of Cervione in 1992. These successive transformations have profoundly altered its original structure, reflecting the political and social upheavals of Corsica over the centuries.
