Located 500 meters above sea level, Sainte-Marie-Siche is almost at the very bottom of the deep and wide Taravu valley.
The village was built around a small chapel in the 10th century (the Romanesque chapel of Santa Maria Assunta), which today is run down.

The town has a leading architectural heritage and remains very attractive for tourists. At the time of raids led by pirates, the population of the coastal villages came to seek refuge in Santa-Maria-Siche. This is the birthplace of Vanina d'Ornano, Sampiero Corso's wife.

The house where she was born was built in the 15th century and has since then changed significantly. The old house is still visible in the village.