Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Corsican Museum of Ethnography was founded in 1898 when the Société des Sciences Historiques et Naturelles de la Corse launched the initiative to create a museum in Bastia. At the beginning of the 20th century, it became a city and was transferred in 1922 to the Marbeuf barracks under the name of "Museum Corse de Bastia". During the occupation, he was looted and lost much of his collections and archives. This loss marks a turning point in its history, requiring further reconstruction.

In 1952, the museum was reborn as the "Museum of Ethnography Corsica" and settled in the Palais des Gouverneurs Genoise, in the heart of the citadel of Bastia. He then specialized in rural ethnography, while integrating the surviving collections of the old museum. The topics covered are gradually widening, covering archaeology, fine arts, decorative arts and local history. However, over time, its presentation is aging and difficult to meet the expectations of the modern public.

A renovation and expansion project is under way to modernize the museum, including the reconstruction of parts of the palace destroyed during the Second World War. In 2004, a new scientific and cultural programme was established, refocusing the museum on the history of the city of Bastia. Today, it is labeled "Museum of France" and continues to value a rich heritage, ranging from Greek and Roman antiques to photographic and numismatic archives.

The museum is associated with a major historical monument: the fortified enclosure of the citadel and the Governor's Palace, built from 1380. Initially a modest tower, this site became the residence of Genoese governors before serving as military barracks. This historic setting strengthens the museum's anchoring in Corsica's architectural and cultural heritage.

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