Saint-Jean-Baptiste church in Bastia, Catholic church near Old Port, Bastia, France

Saint-Jean-Baptiste is a Baroque church in Bastia's Terra Vechja quarter, between the market square and the Old Port, and the largest church in Corsica. Its cream stone facade carries the inscription D.O.M. SUB INVOC. S. JOANNIS BAPTISTAE PATRONI PRINCIPALIS CIVITATIS and is framed by two domed bell towers, the left from 1810, the right from 1864. Inside, the 1742 organ tribune by Giovanbattista Terrigo and the 1694 polychrome marble high altar by Honoré Pellé stand out.

Construction began in 1636 and was completed in 1666, after which it became the largest church on the island. The distinctive bell towers were added in the 19th century and shaped its present appearance.

The church keeps the chapels of the sailors and fishermen facing each other, dedicated to Saint Erasmus and to Saints Peter and Andrew. The chapel of the Rosary holds a 1679 painting by Genoese artist Domenico Piola, commissioned by the Bastia notable Anton Nobile Mattei. Each 23 June, the eve of Saint John's feast, a fire called the fucarè is lit on the Old Port.

The church stands in Terra Vechja between the place du Marché and the Vieux-Port, a short walk from the harbour quays. Enter from the rue Saint-Jean side, where the baptismal chapel with its 1857 white marble group sits left of the main door. It remains an active parish church, so visits should fit around services.

The eve of the feast of Saint John, 23 June, brings the fucarè: a bonfire lit on the Vieux-Port, the harbour quarter the church served as Terra Vechja's main parish. The Bastiais Eugène Anarella wrote U Campanile di San Ghjuvà about this harbour setting; Charles Rocchi's version became a popular success, later taken up by Antoine Ciosi and Maì Pesce.