As lovers of Cap Corse, we spent years looking for a property that was emblematic of the local architectural heritage. We bought this property in 2021 and renovated it in the spirit of an “American house”; the houses built Corsican emigrants who, after making their fortune abroad, returned home to build palaces to house their families who stayed in the village. Its location above Saint-Florent, just 20 minutes from Bastia airport, topped it off for us.
The building is believed to have been built by the architect Giuseppe Poggi or one of his pupils. It is in a particular style known as “resort architecture". This refers to complex plans with asymmetrical volumes and carefully decorated façades. There are numerous, varied shaped windows, with semi-circular arches that compete with the lintels of the rectangular windows. The 420 m2 mansion is spread over four floors. A Mediterranean garden with rare plant species is laid out over 1800 m2 of land, in successive terraces. A belvedere offers spectacular views over the Nebbio countryside and the Gulf of Saint-Florent.
The house was built in 1874 by a prominent family from Oletta. The Marinacce-Cavallacce surname is associated with the history of this house, known as the "château". Jean-Baptiste Marinacce, who had had a brilliant diplomatic career, wanted to build a "palace" to mirror his success when he returned home. His maternal name, Cavallacce was added by a ruling by the Bastia civil court in 1896.
Living in this Corsican palace you immerse yourself in the culture of the island's identity. We have partnerships with people working towards the local economy: fishermen who deliver their morning catch, restaurants which organise private evenings in situ, winegrowers who offer tours of the Patrimonio vineyards, and a traditional Corsican music group who host festive evenings at the château. The services of our attentive staff - a gardener, swimming pool attendant, housekeeper, baby-sitter and home chef - are available on request and at extra cost to meet our guests’ needs. The house has a heated swimming pool and a sheepfold that has been converted into a studio.
In Murato, the legendary traditional restaurant, "le But". The "Terra di Catoni" restaurant in Porticciolo serves the best products from Cap Corse. In the middle of the maquis at Rutali, the very refined "Ferme du Campo di Monte". In Centuri, on the harbour, "Le Langoustier" features the famous lobster from Cap Corse. Between Barcaggio and Tamarone, the customs path has some great walks, with swimming possible in every cove. The most beautiful beaches are those of the Agriates desert, accessible by boat from Saint-Florent or by car. Cap Corse is a paradise that can be explored by car, on foot or by bike, with its spectacular views.
The building spans four levels, with a dining room, large kitchen and lounge on the garden level and a reading room, study and two bedrooms with en suite shower rooms on the ground floor. The first floor has two suites, each with its own bathroom. On the upper floor there is a suite with its own bathroom and two attic bedrooms, each with its own shower room. Outside, there is a secure, heated swimming pool, parking for two vehicles and a sheepfold that has been converted into a studio.
ref 794634
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