Why Visit
It is a cosmopolitan city that has many places to visit, museums and landmarks. The world-famous casino of Monte Carlo is definitely worth a visit. The famous historical grand prix of Monaco also takes place here.
History
The area of Monaco has been inhabited since the Paleolithic Period, around 300.000 BC. Evidence of habitation have been found in the Gardens of St. Judist. The area’s first permanent settlers were the celtic Ligurian tribe, according to Diodorus Siculus and Strabo. In the 6th century BC, the Greek inhabitants of nearby Massalia (Marseille) founded the colony of Monoikos in the area of Monaco. According to Strabo and Diodorus Siculus, both the Ligurians and the Greeks believed that Hercules passed through the area in his travels.
The small port came under the control of Rome after the Gallic Wars and Julius Caesar used it as a stopping point. It was annexed into the Roman province of Gallia Transalpina. It remained under Roman control until the collapse of the Western Roman Empire in 476. The town then passed to the control of the Goth Odoacer and then after his death is became a part of the Ostrogothic Kingdom of Italy in the late 5th century AD. The Eastern Roman army of Emperor Justinian recaptured the town in the mid-6th century but it was quickly taken by the Lombards in the 7th century. From then on it constantly changed hands between the Lombards and the Franks with frequent raids depopulating almost entirely the area. However by the 11th century it was again inhabited by Ligurians. In 1191, Emperor Henry VI of the Holy Roman Empire granted the area to Genoa and in 1215 Genoese soldiers began the construction of a fortress atop the Rock of Monaco. A settlement was created around the Rock to support the garrison and land was offered to the new settlers.
Francesco Grimaldi, seized the Rock of Monaco in 1297 and established the Grimaldi dynasty and his dynasty acquired Menton and Roquebrune in 1346 and 1355 respectively greatly enlarging their possessions. Prince Honoré II secured recognition for independent sovereignty from Spain in 1633 and then from King Louis XIII of France in 1641. The area has remained under the firm control of the Grimaldi family to the present day, except for a brief period of French control from 1793 to 1814 during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.
After the war, the principality was named a protectorate of the Kingdom of Sardinia in 1815. it remained a Sardinian protectorate until the Second Italian War of Independence when it was ceded by treaty to France along with the areas of Nice and Savoy. During this time the towns of Menton and Roquebrune declared independence and the prince gave up his claim of the two towns, which were then annexed by France. France again recognized Monaco’s sovereignty in 1861. In 1863 the Casino of Monte Carlo was opened and a railway link to France greatly boosted the economy of the principality and improved its infrastructure.
In 1910 there was a revolution in the principality that forced the ruling prince to proclaim a constitution in 1911. In July 1918, a treaty was signed by France and Monaco that established that Monegasque policy would be aligned with French political, military and economic interests. During World War II, Prince Louis II tried to keep Monaco neutral but in November 1942 the Italian army invaded and occupied the city. After Mussolini’s fall in September 1943 the German army occupied Monaco and began deporting the Jewish population to concentration camps. German troops retreated after allied landings in Southern France and Monaco was liberated.
The constitution was revised in 1962 and it provided for female suffrage and it abolished capital punishment. The country became a member of the United Nations in 1993. The principality is currently ruled by Prince Albert II who succeeded his father Prince Rainier II in 2005.
Museums - Archeological
Monaco is home to several important museums that you can visit. The Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology boasts a series of burials that have been found around the principality and retraces the milestones in the history of humanity.
The Nouveau Musée National de Monaco was founded to preserve, ensure continuity and communicate to society the value of cultural and natural heritage worldwide, in the present and the future, in its tangible and intangible states. For several months now, the team of the Nouveau Musée National de Monaco (or NMNM) has been reflecting, making inventories, organising, questioning... The consultation has included discussions with historians, restorers, designers, lighting engineers and meetings with artists aiming at renewing our outlook on the concept of heritage and the way it is transmitted to the public.
This collective work has been called "Training for a Museum". It focuses on enabling the residents and the public to understand what a National Museum is and how it fits within contemporaneity. This training will continue until the opening of a building that will accommodate such an ambitious museographic project.
The Oceanographic Museum is built on the side of the mythical Rock of Monaco, the Oceanographic Museum has been watching over the oceans for over a century. Founded by the Prince Albert I, great grandfather of H.S.H. Prince Albert II, it was designed as a Palace entirely dedicated to Art and Science. From the aquariums to the collections of Natural History, including the Shark Lagoon and the Turtle’s Island situated on the panoramic terrace, the Museum offers to visitors a unique learning experience to know, love and protect the oceans. Faithful to the vision of its Founder «to gather together in a common eclat the two driving forces of civilization: Art and Science», the Oceanographic Museum opens its doors to contemporary art and hosts major exhibitions by renown international artists like Damien Hirst, Huang Yong Ping, Mark Dion and Marc Quinn.
The Museum of Napoleonic Souvenirs and Collection of the Historical Archives of the Palace contains sometimes emotive, precious objects and documents on the history of the Principality, in particular the period of the First French Empire.
The Museum of Vieux Monaco (Old Monaco) displays objects relating to Monaco’s heritage; ceramics, paintings, furniture and costumes, and sets out scenes of daily life in days gone by on Le Rocherquot.
The Exhibition of HSH The Prince of Monaco’s Vintage Car Collection is located on the Terraces de Fontvieille, this remarkable exhibition brings together almost 100 classic cars of all ages, made by the large companies in Europe and America as well as six coaches belonging to HSH, Prince Rainier III of Monaco.
The Museum of Stamps and Coins is of modern design, this museum contains rare philatelic specimens from the postal history of the Principality, as well as all the documents used to print the stamps since the first “Charles III” in 1885 to today. The area used for coins and bank notes shows visitors the numismatic quality of the Principality since 1640.
The Naval Museum contains more than 250 marine objects and models of famous ships including several pieces from the private collection of HSH Prince Rainier III of Monaco.
The Sculpture Path was created on the initiative of the Sovereign Prince. The Principality of Monaco has been enriched for several years with works by internationally famous artists. Sculpture occupies a privileged place in this collection and is placed throughout the town and gardens so that the public can admire this heritage. Almost one hundred works by contemporary artists rub shoulders with creations by sculptors, some living in Monaco but also some older, wonderfully preserved pieces. Besides the placing of these sculptures throughout the Principality, a pedestrian walk has been created in the Fontvieille district where the majority of these monumental works have been brought together so that this unique collection can be discovered on foot.
Beaches
Most of the beaches in Monaco are man-made, built-up to provide the locals with a seaside paradise. The Larvotto is the seafront area of Monaco and has some beautiful public and private beaches. You can swim there with the backdrop of the luxurious hotels and apartments of Monte Carlo. Also the Le Méridien Beach Plaza is the only hotel property in Monaco with a private beach front.
Religious Monasteries and Churches
Monaco is home to some important churches and cathedrals. The Monaco Cathedral is built with the stark white stones from La Turbie in 1875, this Roman-Byzantine-style building houses the burial places of past sovereigns, including Prince Rainier and Princess Grace. From the interior design, you can admire an altarpiece by the Niçois painter Louis Bréa dating from 1500 as well as the high alter and the Episcopal throne of Carrara white marble. Pontifical services are held during great liturgical celebrations accompanied by the harmonies of a grand organ with four keyboards, inaugurated in 1976 the magnificence of which permits the organisation of outstanding spiritual concerts.
The Sainte-Dévote Church is an 11th century votive chapel that is dedicated to the Principality's and Princely family's Patron Saint. It was built in the hollow of the "Vallon des Gaumates", where during the 4th century a frail boat carrying Sainte Dévote's remains ran aground at its entrance. Every year on 26th January, a boat is burnt at nightfall as part of a still fervent traditional ceremony.
The Chapel of Mercy is located in the Old Town, this chapel where the inaugural stone was blessed in 1639 in the reign of Prince Honoré II, Prior of the Brotherhood of Black Penitents, is built with just one nave. For four centuries on Easter Friday, this chapel was the starting point for the traditional procession. It was abolished in 1870, and has been resumed in the last few years. It houses a wooden Christ sculpted by the Monegasque, François-Joseph Bosio, sculptor to Emperor Napoleon 1st.
The Saint-Charles Church is a Renaissance style building with its bell tower raising 30 metres skywards was inaugurated in 1883.Nineteen stained glass windows lighten up its nave, where the gilded chandelier comes from the old arms room at the Princely Palace.
