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Home Page > Discovering Ajaccio > History of the city and museums
History of the city and museums
1492 Ajaccio was founded.
1553 The French took the town and built the stronghold.
1559 As a consequence of the Cateau Cambresis Treaty, the King of France had to give Corsica back to Genoa.
1575 The Ligurian Republic conceded a coat of arms to Ajaccio representing : «a silver column topped by the shield of Genoa Republic and with a silver dog on each side ». Below was written : «Such are the inhabitants of Ajaccio with regard to the Republic of Genoa».
1656 When the Black Death raged, Ajaccio was taken under the protection of the miraculous Virgin of Savona, who became the patron saint of the town. A celebration in her honour takes place each year on the 18th of March.
1729 During the Forty Years War, Pascal Paoli gave democratic institutions to Corsica.
1739 Lucas d’Ornano unsuccessfully tried to take Ajaccio.
1763 In his turn Pascal Paoli tried to take the town, but his heroic attempt was a failure because of Masseria’s impertinence.
1768 The French took possession of Corsica and since then the island destiny has been that of France.
1769 Napoleon was born in Ajaccio.
1801 Ajaccio was called « the prettiest town of the Mediterranean» with 5.000 people. Since then it has considerably developed, and the population now numbers 60.000.

 
THE FESCH MUSEUM
50, rue du Cardinal Fesch - 20000 Ajaccio - Tél : 04 95 21 48 17 - Fax : 04 95 21 80 94

A master-class in the world of painting.
A master-class in the world of painting. The paintings collected by Cardinal Joseph Fesch (1763-1839), Napoleon’s maternal uncle, Archbishop of Lyon, constitute one of the most important collections to have ever existed. The works displayed in the Fesch Museum present an almost unrivalled panorama of Italian painting from the 14th to the 19th century. In fact, the museum boasts France’s most important Italian collection outside the Louvre ! All the great names are to be found : Sandro Botticelli, Titian… and, of course, the famous « primitives » who used to paint on wooden panels. Not to be missed !
Visit time : 1.30 to 2 hours for the 3 levels.

Opening day / Tarifs : click here
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THE CITY REFERENCE LIBRARY
50, rue Fesch : aile gauche du Palais Fesch. - 20000 Ajaccio - Tél : 04 95 51 13 00 - Fax : 04 95 51 32 43

Located on the ground floor , in the left wing of the PALAIS FESCH, this library has a magnificent 30 mSummerr-long reading room. It contains 70.000 volumes, some of which are very old (15th-16th centuries).
Collection de livres anciens – salle de lecture.

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A BANDERA MUSEUM

Corsican and Mediterranean History Museum.
On display : rare documents, ancient coins, traditional weapons and costumes. All about great Corsican fi gures such as Napoleon Bonaparte, Sampiero Corso or Pascal Paoli up to the latest Resistance heroes.
Visit : 1hour.
Tél : 04 95 51 07 34 - Fax : 04 95 51 39 60

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AJACCIO, IMPERIAL CITY

The memory of Napoleon Bonaparte is fi rmly entrenched in the city and many are the places, streets and buildings reminding us that the future Emperor was born here in 1769. The memory is further embellished by the many gifts his family, descendants and admirers donated to the city, as well as the annual historical reconstructions organised by the local council.
Napoleon 1st is not the only emperor the island can boast. His successor, Napoleon III is also paid tribute to for his benevolence to the island.
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THE NAPOLEONIC ROOM
Hôtel de Ville - Place Foch - 20000 Ajaccio - Tél : 04 95 51 52 62

Paintings and sculptures relating to the imperial era are displayed in this room in the Restauration style (beginning of the 19th century).
Closed on Saturday, Sunday, public holidays and in case of official reception

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BONAPARTE HOUSE
Rue Saint Charles - 20000 Ajaccio - Tél : 04 95 21 43 89 - Fax : 04 95 21 61 32

National Museum
Originally from Sarzana (Tuscany), the Bonaparte family settled in Corsica at the end of the 15th century. Napoleon Bonaparte was born in this house on the 15th of August 1769. The museum is located in the heart of the Genoese part of the city.
The collection includes furniture belonging to the Bonaparte family dating from the end of the 18th century : memorabilia, portraits, weapons and documents relating to Napoleon and his family in Corsica. Visit time : 1 hour.

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THE IMPERIAL CHAPEL
20000 Ajaccio

Built in 1860, this chapel is now a National Monument. Letizia and Charles Bonaparte - Napoleon’s parents - and other members of the imperial family, are buried there.

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