In order to enhance the local heritage and develop tourist activity, the community of municipalities of L’Île-Rousse-Balagne recently launched a project to rehabilitate the Franzini house, in Pietralba, for an amount of more than one million dollars. ‘euros
Located in the heart of the village of Pietralba, at the gates of the Balagne, the Franzini house imposes itself in the communal landscape. Probably built in the XIXe century, this mansion has long housed wealthy families from the region.
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At the time, the building was used in particular for agricultural activities.
« This house actively participated in the dynamism of the rural world, Explain Jausé Sauli, the mayor of the town. There was notably a bread oven, an area for making olive oil, as well as activities related to agriculture. For the past fifty years, the building has been unoccupied and has unfortunately deteriorated in several places. ”
According to the first observations, the foundations seem weakened, some walls are in very bad condition and several doors have mysteriously disappeared.
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It was finally in 2016 that the community of communes of L’Île-Rousse-Balagne became the owner of this house.
« Due to the merger of the intercommunalities, the project was delayed, observes Lionel Mortini, the president of the interco. We are now ready to take matters in hand in order to offer the municipality of Pietralba and our territory an innovative idea that will participate in the enhancement of the built heritage.. »
From January, an architect will be appointed to develop this project in a structuring way.
80% of the financing of the project management will be provided by the Collectivité de Corse and the State, for the start of work normally scheduled for the end of 2021.
With a total amount of 1.2 M €, the task is difficult. Several avenues are currently being discussed to feed the project.
A museum space on the ground floor
« The structure is spread over more than 750 m2, specifies Barthélemy Colombani, deputy regional delegate of the Heritage Foundation. On the ground floor, it is a question of fitting out a museum space. For us, the Maison Franzini project is an essential link in the preservation of the heritage of our community of municipalities. The aim is to develop and revitalize an old so-called notable house, but also to sanctify part of it by creating a visitable space dedicated to tangible and intangible agricultural heritage. “
Thus, this space will host a permanent collection of objects, photos and documents related to agricultural activities of yesteryear.
This will be the opportunity for the visitor to embark on a journey through time, which will allow him to glimpse the golden age of these large rural properties and their occupants.
« The curious will thus discover the most living part of the house at the time. This is the oxymoron of societies in general and Corsican society in particular: the union in diversity. »
Apart from this museum space, the community of municipalities is also considering the installation of a craftsman who could share with visitors the different stages of his work as well as a relaxation area which would be located on the large terrace of the building.
« We also wish to create a scientific council which will also be linked to the convent of the daughters of Mary, in Lisula, in order to develop the content of the museum in harmony and in a complementary way with the other heritage sites of the territory.. »
Diversify the tourist offer
Alongside this heritage space, local players also want to develop tourist activity by offering a stopover for visitors.
« The goal is obviously to keep this house alive over the long term, notes Tony Ceccaldi, president of the intercommunal tourist office. We are currently working on the hiking trails and setting up an itinerant trail that will leave Bastia to arrive at the port of Calvi via the town of Pietralba. Thus, visitors could eat and sleep on site, with the installation of around thirty dormitories. »
Among other tracks, Tony Ceccaldi would like to make the Franzini house a starting point for trail tours. « Today, it is important to diversify the tourist offer by offering visitors various sporting and even cultural activities. For some time now, we have launched a trail station in the community of municipalities. There will then be two circuits that could start within the village of Pietralba. This would be the way for us to bring the economy to the heart of rural areas. »
A significant visibility for the mayor of the village who is delighted with the progress of such a project.
« We are very happy to be able to participate in this rehabilitation, resumes José Sauli. Being able to welcome visitors throughout the year will allow the municipality an economic rebound as well as real attractiveness. “
A project implemented by the community of municipalities of L’Île-Rousse-Balagne, which should see the light of day in the course of the year 2022, in order to offer a diversified offer and give back to the rural environment the place it merit within the intercommunal territory.
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