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Sampiero Corso Born in Bastelica into a family from the small nobility of Cinarca, the famous Condottiere was destined to become a soldier at a very young age. He entered the service of the Medici at the age of fourteen in 1512. In 1533, he served Pope Clement VII, then moved on to the service of the French king François I, whom he served in his war against Charles V. He saved the life of the future king Henry II in a battle at Perpignan. A sworn enemy of the Genoese, the latter destroyed his house in the Dominicacci district. However, unable to control him, the Genoese pushed his wife, Vannina d'Ornano, to leave the island for Genoa with her children. Unable to bear this betrayal, Sampiero murdered her with his own hands. Inflicting heavy losses on the Genoese troops, Sampiero finally died on 17 January 1567 in a trap organised by Vannina's cousins. He was killed between Eccica and Suarella at the age of 69. For Genoa this was a huge victory. In Torra The house behind you (with the small staircase), could be the only remains of the stables belonging to Sampiero. Built between the 15th and 16th centuries, it was burnt down in December 1564 by Genoese troops, along with his house, known as "A Torra", which later gave its name to the district. Two sculpted stones representing a mermaid and a dragon can be seen here. They come from an old abandoned convent. It is not impossible that they are themselves the remains of older monuments reused by the convent builders after the destruction of the village. The mermaid, recognisable by her head and her female bust, the rest of her body being that of a bird or a fish with one or two tails. It is a symbol of seduction. With the help of wonderful music and melodious songs, she attracts unfortunate humans. Bewitched, they fall into a deep sleep where they are mercilessly devoured. This is how the light-hearted man who is too sensitive to the pleasures of the world becomes the prey of the Evil One. The fire-breathing dragon is the guardian of treasures, especially that of knowledge. But it is also the dragon that Saint George and Saint Michael strike down with their spears. Like a snake, it uses its tail to embrace its prey and kill it by suffocation. It particularly attaches itself to the steps of the powerful to lead them to the Underworld. These two monsters come from the Romanesque bestiary.

Bastelica

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