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Origin and history

The Diamantée House, also known as the former hotel of Saboulin Bollena, is an emblematic building in Marseille, located in the town hall district, behind the town hall. Its name comes from its characteristic facade, covered with stones cut in diamond tips (prism bark), a rare and remarkable architectural style. Classified as a historic monument since November 10, 1925, it is one of the oldest preserved houses in the city, with the Hotel de Cabre.

Built in the late 16th or early 17th century on the site of the gardens of the Palace of Provence, it was built by Spanish and Italian sponsors. The house housed influential families of Marseilles, such as the Saboulin Bollena – including Pierre (2nd échevin in 1683) and François (1st échevin in 1702) – as well as the Castellane Majastre. At the end of the 19th century, it became a dwelling for port workers and Italian immigrants.

The oral tradition sometimes associates the Diamantée House with the palace of King René, Count of Provence, although this hypothesis is not confirmed by historical sources. Saved from the ruin in 1914 by the Art and Charity Association, she was then bequeathed to the Vieux-Marseille Committee. In 1962, this committee donated it to the City of Marseille, with its collections and library.

From 1967 to 2009, the Maison Diamanté hosted the Musée du Vieux Marseille, before its collections were transferred to the Museum of History of Marseille. She then served as a member of the organizing association of Marseille-Provence 2013, the European capital of culture. Since 2015, its administrative use by the City has aroused tensions with the Comité du Vieux-Marseille, which demands respect for its cultural vocation.

Its interior architecture is equally remarkable: the central staircase, supported by doric columns, has a baluster ramp and stucco ceilings. Only the facade and stairway are protected by the 1925 classification, showing a prestigious and fragile heritage.

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