Saint-Erasme Church

The Church of Saint-Erasme, in Ajaccio

The Church of Saint-Erasme is a former chapel of the Jesuits, in the old town of Ajaccio, dedicated to the patron saint of sailors and classified historic monument. The Ajaccio audio-guided tour stops here, with respect, to evoke this sanctuary of the seventeenth century, where numerous ex-votos of boats testify to the piety of the seafarers.

The church of the sailors and its ex-votos

You pass now in front of the small Church of Saint-Erasme, in the Rue Forcioli-Conti. This former chapel of the Jesuits was built at the beginning of the seventeenth century and first dedicated to Saint Ignatius of Loyola, founder of their order. After the Revolution, when it resumed worship, it was consecrated to Saint Erasmus, the patron saint of sailors, a natural link for a town turned towards the sea. Inside, in the calm conducive to contemplation, the visitor discovers a touching particularity: numerous models of boats are suspended from the chandeliers or placed near the altars. These are ex-votos, those symbolic offerings that the faithful placed in the churches following a vow or in thanks for an answered prayer. You imagine without difficulty how many sailors, gone to confront the Mediterranean, came here to implore or to thank the protection of the saint for themselves and their vessels. This popular devotion, mingling faith and maritime life, gives the place a singular and moving atmosphere. Classified historic monument, Saint-Erasme is one of these discreet sanctuaries that tell the soul of Ajaccio and its attachment to the sea. A former Jesuit chapel and a church of the sailors, Saint-Erasme is discovered with respect.

What to see

Here you discover, with respect, the former chapel of the Jesuits of the beginning of the seventeenth century, first dedicated to Saint Ignatius of Loyola then, after the Revolution, to Saint Erasmus, patron of sailors; inside, numerous models of boats, suspended from the chandeliers or placed near the altars, are ex-votos offered by the seafarers. Classified historic monument, the Church of Saint-Erasme tells the maritime soul of Ajaccio. It is a stop to be discovered with respect.

Practical information

The Church of Saint-Erasme lies on the Rue Forcioli-Conti, in the old town of Ajaccio, reachable on foot. A place of worship classified historic monument, it can be visited with respect; entry is generally free, but hours vary. It is best to check them before coming and to respect the sacred character of the place.

To whom is the Church of Saint-Erasme dedicated in Ajaccio?

To Saint Erasmus, the patron saint of sailors, to whom this former chapel of the Jesuits, first dedicated to Saint Ignatius of Loyola, was consecrated after the Revolution; you see there numerous models of boats, ex-votos offered by the seafarers, suspended from the chandeliers or placed near the altars. The church is classified historic monument.

Where is the Church of Saint-Erasme in Ajaccio?

On the Rue Forcioli-Conti, in the old town of Ajaccio, in Corsica.