Couvent de Marcasso, 17th-century convent in Cateri, France
The Couvent de Marcasso is a 17th-century convent in Cateri built on a rocky elevation overlooking the Aregno plain. The structure contains a central cloister surrounded by multiple sections with a church and numerous rooms for the religious community.
The convent's founding began in 1623 after residents of Cateri donated the land, following the placement of a founding cross in 1621. The community established itself in the decades that followed and secured water rights from the neighboring municipality to support its operations.
The sisters of the Rosary of the Annunciation shape daily life in the convent through their sung prayers that fill the quiet spaces. Visitors who attend services in the church can experience this spiritual practice firsthand.
The convent can be visited by arrangement, and guests should expect natural paths that follow the terrain of the hillside location. Access is managed by the religious community, so courtesy and respect for their daily rhythms are important.
The convent secured water rights in 1642 from the neighboring municipality of Lavatoggio, drawn from a source called Capu di Guestia è Monacu Mortu. This water allocation allowed the community to farm the land and achieve self-sufficiency.
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