Royal edition against island graves 1776 (≈ 1776)
Prohibition of burials in churches for hygiene.
1789
Revolutionary Decree on Cemeteries
Revolutionary Decree on Cemeteries 1789 (≈ 1789)
Communal cemetières imposed far from homes in France.
1830
Final closure of the "arca"
Final closure of the "arca" 1830 (≈ 1830)
Official end of collective burials in Corsica.
1882
Mention in the Napoleonic cadastre
Mention in the Napoleonic cadastre 1882 (≈ 1882)
Evidence of prolonged use in the 19th century.
1981
Historical Monument
Historical Monument 1981 (≈ 1981)
Protection of the chapel and its *arca*.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Chapelle à Arca (old) (Case B 53): Order of 11 May 1981
Key figures
Information non disponible - No characters cited in the sources
The source text does not mention any specific historical actors.
Origin and history
The ancient chapel in Arca de Zevaco, located in the village of Zevaco in South Corsica, dates from the 18th century. This small granite building, composed of a unique nave vaulted in a cradle, is distinguished by its pinion façade pierced by a door topped by a monolithic lintel and two rectangular niches. Its flat bedside houses in its center an orifice leading to an arca, an underground vaulted chamber serving as a collective tomb. This burial, closed by a slab, welcomed the deceased wrapped in a shroud, reflecting a tradition of rural burial deeply rooted in the island.
The chapel illustrates tensions between local customs and national regulations. A royal edict of 1776 prohibited burials in island churches for reasons of hygiene, followed in 1789 by a revolutionary decree imposing communal cemeteries far removed from dwellings. Despite these prohibitions, burials in the Arca persisted in Corsica, showing resistance to external norms. Only in 1830 were all arca officially closed. The monument, classified in 1981, appears on the Napoleonic cadastre of 1882, suggesting extended use beyond the 18th century.
Architecturally, the building combines simplicity and functionality. The presence of the archa in the heart of the chapel underlines its dual role: place of worship and community funeral space. The granite materials, typical of the region, and the vaulted structure reflect local know-how. Although the accuracy of its exact dating remains unclear (mid-19th century mentioned for some parts), its classification as Historic Monument in 1981 confirms its heritage importance, linked to missing social and religious practices.
