Chjassu Maria Ghjentile

Park in the square of the former Saint François Convent at the junction with the D82 road leading from Saint-Florent to Biguglia. Alternative route via (D'/A') the Poggio d’Oletta Town Hall car park, accessible via the D38 road leading from the Col de Teghime to Oletta.

The “Grand Site” signage consists of weathered steel posts bearing the inscription: Chjassu Maria Gentile, and green information panels for points of interest. If these are not present, follow the yellow painted markings until the next sign.

(S/E) Leave the convent square via Strada di u Cunventu, heading east. After the La Conca establishment, turn left off the road and take the Concia path to the Mersulaccia Fountain.

(1) Turn left at the fork. Continue following the signs for Monticello – Poggio, which supplement the existing signposting. At the highest point, you’ll reach the D38 road. Turn left towards Monticello and then immediately left again to see the ruins of Maria’s house. Then return to the junction with the D38.

(2) Head uphill opposite towards Paese di u Poghju d’Oletta, via Via Maria Ghjentile. Leave the road at a very sharp bend and take the Cullatella Ghjuvan’ Martinu Olivacce steps. At the top of the steps, turn left, then right after about fifty metres. At the highest point, you’ll reach Piazza Gregorio Olivacce. Head down to the left towards the fountain and cross the car park to reach the town hall of Poggio d’Oletta, which is also the (D’/A’) of the alternative route.

(3) Walk back up Via Maria Ghjentile, then turn right onto the path leading to the San Cervone fountain and washhouse. Continue along the path until you reach the Poggio d’Oletta road (D38).

(4) Cross it with care. Continue down towards Oletta, keeping to the right-hand side for safety reasons, as the left-hand side is not suitable for walking. Pass the Salicetu Fountain, then head up to the left into the village via Traversa Martha Angelici.

(5) Reach the gate of Sant’Andria Church to find, on the left, the memorial stone dedicated to Maria. Then return to the centre of the square, go round the war memorial and head down towards the car park, which is in sight, via the iron steps. Leave the car park by walking up the D38 for about thirty metres to find the entrance to the Concia path.

(6) Follow the signposts and head down to the first junction. Turn right to quickly reach a^second junction.

(7) Here, there are two options:
- Alternative route: walkers pressed for time may choose to turn right to reach the Fontaine Mersulaccia junction, saving an estimated 10 minutes at most.
- Take the left-handpath ; this is the route shown on the map. At the lowest point, at a further junction, turn right. Follow the signposts and continue towards the convent.

(8) Leave the track on the left and take the local footpath towards “Couvent”. At the lowest point, rejoin the Strada di u Cunventu and follow it to the square in front of the former St Francis Convent (S/E).

Restrictions: for safety reasons, the following two conditions must be met to follow this route

from 15 July to 31 October 2026

* do not walk the route after 11.00 am

* Do not use the route in windy conditions

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The Variant (D'/A') starts at the car park by Poggio d’Oletta Town Hall

Water points:
(S/E) Fountain in Oletta, church square, near the steps leading to the car park
(1) Fountain in Mersulaccia, on the Concia path.
(3) Fountain in Poggio d’Oletta on Cours Olivacce, near the Town Hall.
(3) San Cervone fountain/washhouse in Poggio d’Oletta, past the Town Hall.
Before (S/E) Salicetu Fountain, on the D38 road, before the entrance to the village of Oletta.

Shelters along the route, excluding churches and shops:
(S/E) Shelter by the Salicetu fountain in Oletta.
(S/E) Shops in Oletta: bar, restaurants, grocery shop, hotel.
(3) Bus shelter at Poggio d’Oletta/Olivacce and San Cervone fountain shelter.

The story of Maria Ghjentile-Belgodère
On the night of 25–26 September 1769, Maria left her home in the hamlet of Monticello in Poggio d’Oletta and took the village path leading down to the Convent of Saint Francis in Oletta.
The day before, her fiancé and four companions had been found guilty of plotting a conspiracy against the French troops. They were sentenced to death and executed, with orders that they be denied a proper burial.
Maria, aged 20, refused to abandon her fiancé’s body and decided to defy the ban. At nightfall, she evaded the guards’ vigilance, retrieved her beloved’s body and buried it in one of the crypts of the Franciscan convent.
Beyond this incredibly courageous act, Maria went to the authorities to turn herself in and clear the name of the executed man’s parents, who had been arrested on suspicion of having removed their son’s body.
Impressed by this young woman’s courage and sense of honour, General DeVaux granted Maria a pardon and declared her free.

Must-see / Must-visit on the itinerary * / Worth a detour **

• Former Convent of Saint Francis
• Maria Gentile’s house, hamlet of Monticello
• Rivarola Tomb
• Mount Tuda
• Panoramic views: the villages of Poggio d’Oletta and Oletta, the Nebbiu plain and Lake Padula, the Tenda massif, the Gulf of Saint Florent, the Patrimonio wine-growing area, the hills and limestone cliffs of Monte Sant’Angelo
• Church of San Cervone in Poggio d’Oletta*
• Ange Leccia Museum – Casa Conti – Oletta*
• Church of Sant’Andria in Oletta*
• Museum of Sacred Art in Oletta **