Novella

The story of Novella is relatively recent since it goes up again to years 1640.
To this time inhabitants of Cruschini desert their village (would the pestilence be some it the reason?). They install themselves to Novella and Palasca but remain very attached to their village of origin. That is that Monsignor Marliani who, in 1946, learns us in the Episcopal tour report . He accentuates that to Cruschini " the church dedicated to the Saint Côme and Damien remains in excellent state and that the cult is celebrated once per week by the Padre Pauluandria di Suveria, rector of Novella ".
Novella counts 145 inhabitants then.

THE FRATRICIDAL STRUGGLE

Some years later Novella takes (if one can say) his " independence ".
Thus, the cult objects of the church Saint-Côme and Saint-Damien Cruschini's are shared between the two parishes of Palasca and Novella. (Our readers will note with enthusiasm that the church of Novella always shelters a picture of the Italian school of the 16° century). But this rupture doesn't make himself without shock.
In 1650, an act established by the notary Ruggero Monti of Palasca regulates the sharing of the old village of Cruschini. It attributes the two third of its territory to Palasca. It is not necessary more of them to inflame minds novellais which enter in open struggle against Palasca.

In 1672 then in 1714, missions of arbitration are nominated. They won't succeed in regulating litigations. It will be necessary, finally, to have recourse to the authority of the "Nobile Dodeci" of the Kingdom of Corsica (twelve nobles govern Corsica).
The Noble Twelve, Giacomo Paolo Pietri, is nominated to adjust the deal. This captain will find a compromise after a meeting that, in 1728, regroup I sgiô (*) Ghjuvan Tomaso Massiani, Tadée Orabona of Novella, Simon Pietri Monti and Giuseppe Maria Leoni of Palasca.

In 1740, the oratory of Novella is enlarged. He becomes the church Sainte Croix with his campanile.
In 1770, the village counts 64 houses.
His population counts 236 inhabitants. They live wheat and the barley that they cultivate. There is strong few olive trees and grapevines.
On the other hand wax, the honey and cheese in small quantities make the object of trade.

(* ) But, what is it a Sgiô ? To the detour of a conversation one will tell you maybe, talking of such or such important person : it is a sgiô. One marks so the deference. A sgiô it is a notable or someone propertied of possessions. The particle uses itself before always a forename, ever before a name. U sgiô maestru, designate the teacher, u sgiô mayor is more present. One saw here where there of graffiti announcing the arrival of u sgiô minister. The expression can also be use of ironic manner: " it is a sgiô ", implication he doesn't mix himself to the people.

GROWTH AND MIRACLE...

To the 19° century, the Balagne becomes prosperous. The Ostriconi valley and the Novella plain are covered with olive trees that assure them a main source of incomes.
The population continues to grow therefore. This is how in 1854, the village counts 61 constructions and 375 inhabitants. The village even gives birth to " Ombria " a new district.
The growth that is to the appointment accompanies by an enterprising state of mind. In 1880, the Lanzalavi vicar decides the edification of the Novella church. The oratory is reattached to the campanile and form the present church whose measurements are imposing. In this church, a miracle is not going to linger to occur.
Since July 2, 1897, the population can note that the picture of " the Virgin Saint and the Jesus child" spills a miraculous perspiration. Similar to water distilled all regularly 5 to 6 days, more drops of sweat cover the picture...

WHEN THE TRAIN STATION APPEAR

March 28, 1878, a project of law submitted to the room of deputies concerns the railroad of Corsica. He aims to join the two big harbors of the island (the project will be declared of public utility June 17, 1878).

THE FIRE OF 1971

In summer, a gigantic fire devastates hills destroying all olive trees. The scrub takes the over. The ORABONA family (sgiô of Novella) notifies
100 000 damaged olive trees.

SANTA CROCE CHURCH

In 1880, the Lanzalavi vicar decides its construction to the Village center. This one is foreseen to the same site of the parochial church campanile existing since 1740. The nave, unique, is finished by an apse to 5 flaps. His measurements are imposing.
To observe : the altar in marble is dedicated to Saint Leonard where again the "Rosary" in the right chapel. The Virgin would have cried miraculously. One tells that one day, whereas some Novellais prayed the miraculous virgin, some Palascais passed in cabriolet before the church and mocked (would have understood that the two villages are in competition).
They continued their way but, near the train station, the cabriolet would have reversed himself suddenly. Stricken with fear, the Palascais hurried to the church Sainte Croix to repent.
To also remark : paintings (according to the Filippini vicar, they come from the Cruschini church) ; prayer chairs : the banner of procession.
The chapel restoration was finished August 7, 1993.

HOUSES

• The ORABONA'S house. This imposing house has 39 room. A belvidere on the roof permits to see all the Novella plain. It is typical of the 19°.
• To the Alivelu locality, the restored house is a beautiful example of walled bourgeois house. An oven and a washer in white circular stone with a hole to the bottom are visible of the street.

ALLEYS

To the detour of alleys, arches and passages permit to admire houses in stone of granite, notably the one on the right of Sainte croix church with a framing of door in tuffeau.

SAN MICHELE CHAPEL

The chapel is built behind the cemetery, of which the most imposing tomb belongs to the ORABONA family. its was, it appears, one closed time because a murder would have been committed and the bishop of the time had forbidden all celebration.

SAINT-CÔME AND SAINT-DAMIEN CHAPEL

Below the village of Cruschini. You can recognize the foundation of the apse.

RUINED VILLAGES

* Cruschini. Located on a crest between Novella and Palasca, he was deserted in 1640.
This village divides in two parts :
- one to flank of small hill is composed of several in line houses of which the an appears imposing. One will identify a vast well preserved oven.
- The other part, on the crest, is composed of two or three houses that dominate the site.
Note that the access to the ruined village is difficult.
* Pachina. This small ruined habitat has been identified lately thanks to the toponymy. No vestige of this small village deserted at the end of the 16° century has been recovered, otherwise of very rare ceramic.

ACQUA FREDDA FOUNTAIN

In 1868, works can be realized thanks to the involvement of the population.

«Origins of these summaries come from Mr Jean Louis MASSIANI that communicated them to us nicely, of researches made by my wife Geneviève and my cousine Anne Marie ORABONA, as well as of the bulletin of the association U CHJASSU».