Building of the palace 1622 (≈ 1622)
Edited by Bishop Fabio Giustiniani.
1797
Purchased by Joseph Bonaparte
Purchased by Joseph Bonaparte 1797 (≈ 1797)
Becoming owned by the Bonaparte family.
1900
End of episcopal residence
End of episcopal residence 1900 (≈ 1900)
First departure of the bishopric.
1906-années 1960
Return of the bishopric
Return of the bishopric 1906-années 1960 (≈ 1933)
Episcopal seat for 54 years.
21 décembre 1984
Front protection
Front protection 21 décembre 1984 (≈ 1984)
Registration for Historic Monuments.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Facades and roofs (Box BY 102): inscription by order of 21 December 1984
Key figures
Fabio Giustiniani - Bishop of Ajaccio
Sponsor of the palace in 1622.
Joseph Bonaparte - Owner in 1797
Brother of Napoleon, purchaser of the building.
Cardinal Fesch - Subsequent owner
Uncle of Napoleon, holder of the palace.
Origin and history
The former Episcopal Palace of Ajaccio was built in 1622 at the initiative of Fabio Giustiniani, then bishop of the city. This building, marked by a sober architecture with oblong windows, bears on its lintel the date of construction and the coat of arms of its sponsor. His history is closely linked to the local Church, but also to major political figures: bought in 1797 by Joseph Bonaparte, he later became the property of Cardinal Fesch, uncle of Napoleon I.
After the Concordat was signed, the palace was rented to the bishopric of Ajaccio and served as an episcopal residence until 1900, and again from 1906 to the 1960s. Its facades and roofs, protected since 1984, bear witness to its heritage importance. Today, the building belongs to an association and retains a door decorated with the coat of arms of Giustiniani, symbol of its ecclesiastical origin.
Located at 24 rue Bonaparte, the palace illustrates the links between religious power and political influence in Corsica in the 17th century. Its acquisition by Napoleonic personalities reflects its prestige, while its prolonged use as an episcopal residence underscores its central role in local history. The protected elements (façades, roofs) and its inscription in the Historical Monuments make it a key architectural witness of the modern period in Corsica.
