Architecture

Maison Diamantée

Marseille

Maison Diamantée is an edifice in Marseille, located behind the city hall in the quartier de l’hôtel de ville. The building is noted for its façade covered with stones cut in points, known as bossage prismatique, and it is classified as a monument historique. It is considered one of the oldest preserved houses in Marseille, alongside Hôtel de Cabre. According to the historical record, it was constructed at the end of the 16th century or at the beginning of the 17th century on the former gardens of the Palais de Provence. It was built by wealthy sponsors of Spanish and Italian origin. Over time, several prominent Marseille families lived there, including Pierre Sebolin de Bollena, François de Saboulin Bollena, and the Castellane Majastre family. At the end of the 19th century, the house was inhabited by port workers and Italian immigrants. Oral tradition also identified it as the palace of King René, Count of Provence. In the 20th century, the building changed hands and uses, including housing museums and later administrative offices.

Map showing the location of Maison Diamantée in Marseille
Location of Maison Diamantée in Marseille

Nearby Objects

Location and Facade

Maison Diamantee is an edifice in Marseille, located behind the city hall in the quartier de l hotel de ville. Its facade is covered with stones cut in points, a treatment described as bossage prismatique. The building is also classified as a monument historique, which underlines its recognized heritage status.

History of Maison Diamantee

La Maison Diamantee is counted among the oldest preserved houses in Marseille, alongside the Hotel de Cabre. It was constructed at the end of the 16th century or in the early 17th century on the former gardens of the Palais de Provence. According to the historical record, it was built by wealthy sponsors of Spanish and Italian origin. Over time, it was inhabited by several prominent Marseille families, including Pierre Sebolin de Bollena, Francois de Saboulin Bollena, and the Castellane Majastre family. At the end of the 19th century, the house was inhabited by port workers and Italian immigrants. Oral tradition also presents it as the palace of King Rene, Count of Provence. In 1914, when the building was dilapidated, it was purchased by the cultural association Art et Charite, which later donated it to the Comite du Vieux-Marseille.

Occupations Since the 1960s

In 1998, the building, its collections, and its library were donated to the City of Marseille. From 2003 to 2013, the Maison Diamantee housed the Musee du Vieux Marseille. After 2013, the collections were integrated into the Musee d'histoire de Marseille. The building also hosted the offices of the Marseille Provence 2013 association, which organized the event. After Marseille Provence 2013, the City used the premises only for administrative purposes. In 2015, the president requested that the City respect the monument's cultural vocation, and in 2017 a legal procedure for retrocession was initiated.