Monaco Prince's Palace. Monaco is a fabulous Mediterranean principality. How do members of the princely family live?
Monaco is located in a zone of comfortable climate, the definition of which is accurately described by the expression “neither hot nor cold”, because winters here are moderately warm and summers are not very hot. In winter, the principality is protected from the northern winds by the Maritime Alps, and in summer the sea winds carry coolness. It is no coincidence that the capital, Monte Carlo, was chosen as the site of the world casino, where the powerful and rich of this world come to lose their millions.
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The cathedral is a neo-Romanesque building made of white stone, with magnificent icons and church utensils. There is a large organ inside the temple. Among the most significant works of art are the altar paintings of the great clerical painter Brea Louis. Carrara marble adorns part of the Cathedral's buildings. On the walls hang paintings depicting the Virgin Mary and Jesus as a baby. Here are the Chapel of the Epiphany, the font, and the statue of Bishop Peruchot Louis-Lazar. In general, on the territory of the temple there are many unique and expensive paintings by great artists, which are highly valued by connoisseurs of art and antiquities. It is also noteworthy that near each painting or small architectural monument there is a sign describing the history and the author of the creation.
Address: Monaco, rue Colonel Bellando de Castro, 4. The doors of the Cathedral are open on religious holidays, admission is free.
Japanese Garden in Monte Carlo
The Japanese Garden in Monaco is located on Princess Gray Kelly Avenue, who died in a car accident. It was she who dreamed of such a garden during her life. The famous Japanese landscape designer and designer managed to realize this plan in the early 90s. Flower Show Oscar winner Yassu Beppu, at the request of Prince Rainier III, began to recreate a piece of Japan in the most amazing place in Europe. As conceived by Yassu, the Japanese Garden was supposed to combine the principles and styles inherent in the landscapes of this island state. On an area of about 40 hectares there are three mandatory
It was not easy to create a delicate Japanese garden under the scorching Mediterranean sun. Yass Beppe, together with a team of like-minded people, managed to protect the garden from the cruel effects of the rays of the hot sun. A dense row of pine trees along the perimeter reliably protects the unique nature of Japan with its shadow. In accordance with the philosophy of the ancient teachings of “Taoism,” places for meditation, immersion in one’s own thoughts, and yoga classes have been recreated in the garden. These secret corners of the garden with artificial mist are almost never empty. Water is of particular importance in the garden. According to the philosophy of the ancients, landscapes necessarily include reservoirs, ponds, streams and streams.
It took almost 18 months of painstaking work to recreate the little paradise. The Yassu Beppe team brought and acclimatized most of the flora from Japanese nurseries in the neighboring countries of France, Spain, Italy and Germany. For many weeks, suitable stone blocks and cliffs were searched for for the construction of water elements. After the completion of this project, the garden was blessed by the priest of the Shinto shrine, and it opened its doors to the first connoisseurs of Japanese nature.
Location of the Japanese Garden: Avenue Princesse-Grâce, 98000 Monte Carlo. The garden is open to visitors all year round: from late autumn (November) until March from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., April-October until 7 p.m. You can see the beauty of the famous Japanese designer for free.
Monaco is a small European state that attracts tourists with its favorable climate and abundance of entertainment. Many people come here to watch car racing and play in the casino. If you decide to spend your holidays in this country, be sure to take the time to visit a unique attraction - the Prince's Palace in Monaco.
History of the state and the princely residence
In 1215, Fulco de Cassello began construction. It is on the site of this historical defensive structure that the palace of the princely dynasty in Monaco stands today. The miniature state begins its history in 1297. It was then that Francesco Grimaldi was expelled from Genoa and, wearing clothes, managed to get inside the fortified citadel and then capture it. At first, Monaco was officially considered a fief. And only since the 17th century, at the world level, the Grimaldi dynasty was recognized as sovereign rulers, and the principality began to be considered a full-fledged and autonomous state. Interestingly, the descendants of the princely family still manage their domains today. The main palace was rebuilt and restored several times. Today the residence not only looks great, but is also used for its original purpose. Today the princely family permanently resides in the palace and all important state affairs are decided.
Prince's Palace in Monaco: photo and description
Throughout its history, the Principality of Monaco has fought for its own independence. While the French kings built luxurious residences in the Baroque style, the Grimaldi chose a more practical Renaissance for their palace, without forgetting to think about its security and inaccessibility. The external façade of the building is decorated with mosaics and white columns. From the side of the courtyard you can see frescoes restored in the mid-20th century. The Prince's Palace in Monaco boasts a rich interior decoration. The styles that came into fashion under Louis XIV predominate here, being examples of pomp and luxury. The palace houses an impressive collection of art objects dating from various periods belonging to the ruling dynasty.
Life of the princely residence today
The Prince's Palace in Monaco is located in the most prestigious area of the resort of Monaco-Ville. Today the residence is divided into four zones. The Napoleon Museum is open in the palace, there is also a historical archive of the family, some rooms are used for official events and ceremonies. The residence also has a residential part, in which members of the princely family permanently reside. Good news for those who want to explore the princely palace in Monaco in person - excursions are offered here in the summer. Usually the residence is opened to free visits as soon as the prince's family moves to a less hot region.
How do members of the princely family live?
The princely palace employs 112 people, and all of them, of course, are. In front of the main entrance to the residence there is a square surrounded by a battery of military cannons cast under Louis XIV. There is a luxurious garden around the palace, allowing members of the princely family not only to admire the plants, but also to hide their private lives from admirers and journalists. Today, 11 gardeners take care of the green area. In order to understand whether the ruler is at home, just look at the princely palace in Monaco. Monte Carlo is a relatively small resort, all the residents of which know that every time the prince arrives, the state flag is raised above the residence. The security of the palace is provided by the Carabinieri. For more than a century now, they have been guarding the residence in full dress around the clock, the changing of the guard takes place at 11.55, this is a breathtaking sight. The Carabinieri organize an honorary escort for His Highness, and also maintain order in the state.
In 1997, the Grimaldi dynasty celebrated its 700th anniversary of rule. Throughout this time, the palace in Monaco has been the only residence of the princely family. In the local archive you can see exhibits telling about the reign of Grimaldi from the founding of the principality. Many personal items that once belonged to members of the princely family and various historical documents are kept here. In 2008, a monument to Francois Grimaldi was erected on the square in front of the palace. The statue depicts the founder of the family in monastic robes - this is how he once entered the Genoese castle. In the middle of the last century, Prince Rainier III introduced an interesting tradition: from time to time, musical concerts are held in the courtyard of the residence. Those who have attended such an event at least once claim that the acoustics here are unusually good.
How to get on the excursion?
The Mediterranean climate is characterized by fairly hot summers. At the height of the tourist season, members of the princely family leave their residence and relax in a cooler region. It is during the absence of its inhabitants that the princely palace in Monaco opens its doors to visitors. Excursions here are held from April 2 to October 31, daily from 10.00 to 18.00. Tourists are advised to check the opening hours of the exhibitions a few days before their planned visit - from time to time the residence is closed for official events. A visit to the palace is paid, an adult entrance ticket costs 8 euros, and a child (8-14 years old) and student ticket costs 4 euros. Discounts are available for mini groups. Of course, tourists are not taken to the private chambers of the princely family. But you can visit the museum and archive, as well as explore the main premises during the excursion. Tourists can also see members of the princely family. Representatives of the Grimaldi dynasty are depicted not only in family portraits, but also in
Exact address of the attraction
One of the most popular tourist attractions in Monte Carlo is the Prince's Palace of Monaco. How to get to the princely residence? Any local resident will tell you the way. Many public transport routes go directly to it, for example, buses No. 1 and 2. From the train station you can walk along picturesque streets in about 30 minutes. Many travel agencies in Monaco offer tourists excursions with transfers from other localities in the state. The exact address of the palace: Place du Palais, Monaco-Ville, Palais Princier de Monaco. If you have the opportunity, be sure to visit the Prince's Palace in Monaco. The description of this attraction cannot be compared with the impressions you will receive from a personal inspection of the residence.
“... folded by nature itself
fortressOh, the happiest tribe is the homeland,
this world is special, this marvelous diamond in silver
rim of the ocean... this precious land..."
(W. Shakespeare)
About the country, its history and people
The Principality of Monaco is a tiny sovereign state, sandwiched between mountains and the sea, with a population of 38 thousand people. The area of the country is 2.02 square meters. km, is the second smallest area after the Vatican. The length of the coastline is 4.1 km. The length of the land borders is 4.4 km. The highest point of Monaco (163 m above sea level) is located on the southern slope of Mont Agel, the peak of which (1148 m) is located in France. Over the past 20 years, the country's territory has increased by almost 40 hectares due to the drainage of marine areas. The Principality is one of the world leaders (2nd place) in terms of population density 17.8 people/sq. km. It borders the French Alpes-Maritimes department, so half of its inhabitants are French, the rest consists mainly of Monegasques and Italians. There is no consensus on the origin and meaning of the name Monaco. According to one hypothesis, in the 6th century BC, Ligurian tribes founded the colony of Monoikos on this site, the name of which comes from the name of the Greek mythological hero Hercules - “Portus Hercules Monoiki”, that is, “port of lonely Hercules”. The Roman Emperor Julian the Apostate also wrote about Hercules' participation in the construction of the port of Monaco and the coastal road. Many altars dedicated to Hercules were placed along this road, and a temple was built in his honor on the rock of Monaco. Monoeci means "lonely" and Monoikos means "solitary house", which could mean the temple of Hercules on the rock or the isolated community of inhabitants who inhabited the area around the rock. The official language of Monaco is French, the spoken language is the Monegasque dialect (a mixture of the Provençal dialect of French and the Ligurian dialect of Italian). Monaco includes the merged arrondissement cities of Monaco-Ville, Monte Carlo, La Condamine and Fontvieille (industrial area). Millionaires attracted to Monaco by its mild climate and low taxes are settling in luxury apartments overlooking the Ligurian Sea of the Mediterranean.
The name of the country comes from the name of one of the Ligurian tribes that once inhabited these places. In ancient times, the port here, known as the "Port of Hercules" and mentioned in many Mediterranean legends, was called "Portus Herculis Monoesi". In the 12th century, Genoa obtained from the Holy Roman Emperor and King Henry VI of Germany the right to own the port and rock of Monaco, and in 1215 a fortress was built, which currently houses the princely palace.
In 1295, Grimaldi, a noble Genoese family supporting the Guelph party, was expelled from his hometown after the Ghibelline party came to power and settled in Provence, and in 1297, Francesco Grimaldi, nicknamed “Malicia” (“Insidious”), disguised himself as a monk , knocked on a cold January evening at the gates of the fortress. He was inspired and Francesco and his comrades broke into the castle and took possession of it. Near the palace we are greeted by a monument to the founder of the family, Francesco Grimaldi, nicknamed “The Cunning Man” - one of the masterpieces of the Dutch sculptor Kissa Verkada. This sculpture was presented to Rainier III on the 700th anniversary of the Grimaldi dynasty.
The Grimaldi rule lasted only four years, and in 1301 they were forced to cede the fortress again to the Genoese Republic. After this, Monaco repeatedly either regained its independence or fell under the protectorate of Spain or France. In 1911, Prince Albert I adopted the first Constitution of the Principality, and Prince Rainier III, who ascended the throne on May 9, 1949, turned his country into a modern state with a high standard of living, with a high average life expectancy (according to 2008 - 80 years), to one of the most popular centers of international tourism. Currently, the son of Rainier III, Prince Albert II, rules after the death of his father in 2005.
Monaco is a country like a large elite club, the entrance to which is opened by aristocratic origin, fame, success and money. Only about 5,000 residents of the country have Monegasque citizenship. By purchasing real estate in Monaco, you do not receive citizenship. Only the head of state, Prince Albert II, can pronounce a verdict on obtaining citizenship. Over the past 50 years, only 5 foreigners have received the honor of becoming citizens of Monaco
Prince's Palace and Old Town
We begin our acquaintance with the Principality of Monaco with a large climb leading to the Rock.
Climbing along this road, we admire the bastions of the ancient fortress, especially the Oreyon Tower. Here is the main attraction of Monaco - the Prince's Palace, which fulfills its direct function and serves as the official residence of the princely family. At the same time, the palace houses a large library, a collection of objects and personal belongings of Emperor Napoleon, a collection of ancient military uniforms, samples of Monaco money from 1640, postage stamps, paintings and engravings. Previously, on the site of the palace there was a Genoese fortress, erected in 1215, fragments of which can still be seen today, especially in places adjacent to the rocks. This place is called the old town or Monaco-Ville. The palace is located, as expected, on Palace Square.
Having passed through the historical gates, we enter the square in front of the Palace, the protection of which is currently entrusted to the carabinieri honor guard. At the initial stage of the history of Monaco, this guard was formed from the ranks of the National Militia, and since June 1870 - from among the former Swiss Guards of the Vatican, which is why they are called “papists”. The traditional change of carabinieri (whose white uniform is decorated with red braid in summer and black braid in winter) takes place daily at 11 a.m. 50 min. accompanied by the Guard Brass Band. It is noteworthy that the armed forces consist of 82 people, the military, also known as the National Orchestra of Monaco, has 85 people. So it is quite possible to assume that in this country art has triumphed over violence.
On Palace Square there is a battery of cannons from the era of Louis XIV. In the past, 18 cannons served as defense for the fortress.
Nearby is a monument to Albert I.
On the way from the Prince's Palace we pass to the Old Town, along the quiet streets of which there are many cozy restaurants where you can taste typical Monegasque dishes such as “barbajuan” or croquettes. There are many shops selling souvenirs everywhere.
Next to the Monaco Courthouse is the Cathedral, which was opened in 1884.
The cathedral is made of white stone, which is not typical for Catholic cathedrals.
Representatives of thirty-five generations of the Grimaldi family and Princess Grace are buried here.
On either side of the main altar are the mortuary chapel of the Princes of Monaco and the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament.
From the top, the Monegasque residential buildings located below, by the sea, are clearly visible.
Garden of San Martin and Oceanographic Museum
We turn to a picturesque garden, replete with exotic plants, small ponds with swimming goldfish.
The territory of the Jardin Exotic garden is relatively small, but the total planting area is much larger due to the tiered placement of plants. Breathtaking views of the Italian and French Riviera and a magnificent panorama of the entire Principality of Monaco open from the rocky plateaus and terraces of the garden. No one can remain indifferent to the charm of this extraordinary place, decorated with the most outlandish vegetation. Here, in the open ground, pearls of the flora of Mexico, Madagascar, Chile, California grow... The garden is dotted with paths, passages and bridges, which are made of materials imitating wood.
The Gardens of St. Martin are decorated with interesting sculptural compositions - this is a kind of open-air museum where you can leisurely walk, look at the sculptures and breathe in the heady sea air. One of the masterpieces is the sculpture “Crossroads of Life” by Edouard-Marcel Sandoz (1967).
Before us is one of the many statues - Hector and Andromache (sculptor Giorgio de Chirico), which represents the scene of Hector's farewell to his loving wife Andromache before he left the walls of the city of Troy and went to battle with the Achaeans. He stands bravely, face to face with death, she is the embodiment of life, her hair symbolically wraps around his waist as protection.
The picturesque path of the San Martin Garden leads us to the Oceanographic Museum, the path to which was shown to us by the illustrious “guide” - the statue of Prince Albert I, the Sailor, rising on the seashore. The figure looks as if the prince is about to set off to travel the Mediterranean.
And the museum itself crashed into a rock right above the sea.
It is worth telling more about the Oceanographic Museum. Being a prominent oceanographer, Prince Albert I founded this museum in 1899.
For many years, the museum was led by Jacques-Yves Cousteau, a world-famous explorer and ocean explorer, who continued the research work of its creator and at the same time introduced the results of this work to a large number of people. It’s no wonder that Cousteau’s famous bathyscaphe stands at the entrance to the museum.
A visit to the museum includes a tour of the “Aquarium”, where more than 70 halls display the fauna of all the seas of the planet. The Central Hall houses a permanent exhibition telling about the expeditions of Prince Albert I, and in the Physical Oceanography Hall there is an exhibition dedicated to the ecosystems of the planet.
The Oceanographic Museum's terrace offers stunning views of the museum.
and the Mediterranean coast.
We leave the Old Town and go down. Along the way we came across such a cute fountain.
In plan, the palace is an irregular rectangle with a courtyard. Facing the sea, the central facade of the palace overlooks the square where there are guard boxes and cannons. On the sides of the facade rise four square watchtowers with jagged edges, which remain from the Genoese fortress. The flag flying at the top of St. Mary's Tower announces that the prince is in the palace. Above the white stone portal is the coat of arms of Monaco in the form of a bas-relief.
Tourists are only allowed to visit the front part of the building. And exclusively in the summer, because the rest of the time all these premises are used for their intended purpose.
Visitors entering the courtyard are greeted by a calm and solemn beauty. The walls of the galleries are decorated with frescoes depicting mythological characters. Experts from the restoration department of the Paris Louvre worked on their restoration in the second half of the 20th century. Snow-white marble staircases, polished stone floors with patterns, a wide and bright courtyard leave at the same time a feeling of restraint and splendor. In the depths of the courtyard is the palace chapel of St. John the Baptist, the construction of which dates back to the 17th century. On its façade you can see frescoes with scenes from the life of Saint Devota. Since 1959, musical concerts have been held in the courtyard in the summer. The initiator of their holding was Prince Rainier III, a connoisseur and lover of music. The trapezoidal shape of the courtyard provides excellent acoustics.
Adjacent to the south wing is a staircase made of Carrara marble, which in appearance resembles the famous staircase of the Fontainebleau Palace. It was built in the 17th century. The staircase leads to the Gallery of Hercules, which is decorated with 17th-century frescoes depicting the exploits of Hercules and other mythological heroes. Claude Vignon and the Genoese master Orazio de Ferrari worked on the creation of the frescoes. In the same wing there is a Mirror Gallery, followed by a suite of state apartments intended for ceremonial receptions of foreign rulers. The blue salon (Salon Bleu) with a stacked marble floor is used for official receptions: its walls are covered with blue silk damask wallpaper. Italian furniture with gilding dates back to the 19th century. In the throne room, the ceremony of taking the oath of allegiance to the prince by the highest officials of Monaco, as well as official events concerning the princely family, take place. Above the Empire style throne stands the coat of arms of the House of Grimaldi, whose motto, translated from Latin, reads “With God's help” (Deo Juvante). The frescoes, believed to be by Orazio de Ferrari, depict Alexander the Great and the signs of the zodiac. One of the halls is named after Cardinal Mazarin in memory of the fact that in 1777 Prince Honoré IV married Louise d'Aumont-Mazarin, who was descended from the cardinal's niece Hortense Mancini.
The palace also houses several museum collections. The Napoleon Museum (Musée des Souvenirs napoléoniens) displays more than 1,000 objects and documents preserving the memory of the French emperor, including Napoleon's clothing and personal belongings. The museum also houses the state archive of Monaco - medals, maps, ancient engravings and drawings depicting the principality.
In a special room built at the foot of the cliff, there is a museum of vintage cars, which is based on the collection collected by Prince Rainier III. The oldest exhibit in the museum is De Dion-Bouton from 1903. In addition, you can see cars from the 20s and 30s and American luxury cars produced after World War II.
Every day at 11:55 in front of the entrance to the palace, on the palace square, surrounded by a battery of cannons from the times of Louis XIV, the ceremony of changing the guard begins. Carabinieri in ceremonial uniform (dark in winter, light in summer) perform a ritual that has not changed for more than a century.
Practical information
Opening hours: April 10.30-18.00, May-September 9.30-18.30, October 10.00-17.30. The ticket office closes 30 minutes earlier.
Price: entrance fee: 7 euros, children (8-14 years old) and students - 3.50 euros.
Address: Monaco, Monaco-Ville, Palais Princier.
Prince's Palace in Monaco (Palais de Monaco)- the current residence of the princes of Monaco, the ruling Grimaldi dynasty.
general information
The Prince's Palace is only open to the public during the summer months. There is also a museum dedicated to Monaco.
Every day at 12 noon, a changing of the guard ceremony is played near the palace to the accompaniment of drums.
Historical information about the attraction
The lands of today's Monaco were under the rule of the Genoese until the 13th century.
1215 - Fulco De Casello lays the foundation of a new fortress on the top of a cliff. Since then, the fortress has been rebuilt more than once and has now turned into a palace.
1297 - Francesco Grimaldi, expelled from the Italian city of Genoa, disguised as a monk, asks for an overnight stay and enters the fortress. At night, opening its gates, he lets his army in. Having killed all its owners, he declares himself the new ruler. Thus begins the reign of the oldest dynasty in Europe.
1454 - power from the Genoese, who once founded their colony on the territory of Monaco, finally passes to Grimaldi.
The Grimaldi dynasty still rules the kingdom of Monaco.
Photos
Climb up the mountain to the palace and the upper city - the administrative territory of Monaco-Ville.