Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Peretti house, located in Olmeto, Corsica, is distinguished by its L-shaped plan, typical of 19th century houses of notables. The main building, based on the rock, has four floors above a ground floor dedicated to cellars. The upper floors are home to reception areas and family apartments, while the return part, lower due to the slope, was initially reserved for kitchens and commons. The painted decorations of the salon, dated 1922, represent Napoleonic scenes inspired by the gallery of the Battles of Versailles. Their attribution remains uncertain, oscillating between Vladimir Mestchersky (according to oral memory) and Nicolas Wilcke (after the signature affixed).

The structure is based on ancient foundations, probably redesigned in the 19th century in several stages, to harmonize internal and external volumes. An earlier painted decoration, dating from the 19th century, is attested by the ceiling of the old vestibule. The house has been used continuously, with renovations in the 1990s linked to sharing and changing usage. The painted decorations protected since 2019 include those of the living room, two adjoining bedrooms and the second floor vestibule, as well as their structural supports.

The building illustrates the architectural and social evolution of Corsican houses, where reception floors reflect the status of owners. Historical scenes painted, though late (1922), are part of a tradition of Napoleonic glorification, common in Corsica. Uncertainty about the author adds a mysterious dimension to this heritage, while traces of older decorations highlight the historic stratification of the site. The location in Olmeto, in an area with a precise cadastre (AB 261), anchored in a sloped terrain, reinforces its emblematic character.

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