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Origin and history

Sampiero Corso Memorial is a 3.50 metre bronze statue erected in Bastelica, South Corsica. Inaugurated in 1890, it was the work of the French sculptor Vital-Gabriel Dubray. Installed on a 7 metre granite pedestal, it represents Sampiero Corso, emblematic figure of Corsican resistance against Genoa in the 16th century, standing and wielding his sword towards the sky. Three bas-reliefs adorn the base, illustrating key episodes of his life: the siege of Perpignan, the battle of Tenda and his assassination. A commemorative plaque completes the set.

The monument is located in front of the church of Saint Michael, in the hamlet of Santo, in Bastelica, hometown of Sampiero Corso. It embodies the typical commemorative statuary of the second half of the 19th century, marking the public tribute to local heroes. Since 8 February 2008, it has been registered as historical monuments under the property of the municipality. Its architecture combines bronze and granite, with a collaboration between the sculptor Vital-Dubray and the architect Barthélémy Maglioli.

Sampiero Corso (1498–1667), condotiere and military leader, symbolizes the Corsican struggle for independence from Genoese domination. The monument, by its iconography and location, reinforces the collective memory of this resistance. The bas-reliefs, in particular, offer a visual narrative of the hero's exploits and tragic destiny, while anchoring the narrative in the local landscape. The historical precision of the carved scenes and the monumentality of the ensemble make it a major artistic and political testimony of the period.

Ranked among the works of art of South Corsica, this monument is part of a wider heritage network, including other historical sites in the region. Its location in front of a church underlines its integration into the social and religious fabric of Bastelica. The Creative Commons license associated with certain photographs of the monument facilitates its dissemination and cultural enhancement, while the data of the Merimée database ensure its administrative and historical traceability.

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