Monaco-Ville (Monaco-Ville), or Le Rocher (French), which means “rock” - this is the name of the Old Town of Monaco, which is located on a 141-meter monolithic cliff, towering above the Mediterranean Sea.
It is here that the capital of the principality, the city of Monaco, is located - on top of a cliff 300 meters wide and outstanding at 800 meters in the sea.
The upper part of the city is located at an altitude of 60 meters above sea level.
Here is the old city, located here, and.
To the west, slightly lower, behind the rail and road, is the famous exotic garden.
It was this place that was first conquered by the Grimaldi dynasty in 1297 and continues to rule the country to this day. Many centuries ago, Francesco Grimaldi, under the guise of a Franciscan monk, entered the city, then to let his soldiers into it.
It is here on the territory of the old settlement, where each stone stores thousand-year-old memories, and the Principality originates.
Today, the Old Town is one of the main attractions of the Principality of Monaco. This area of \u200b\u200bMonaco, called Monaco-Ville is a small town where only about a thousand people live.
Each street, house, stone on the pavement is a monument of architecture, art and history.
It is convenient to start a walk in the Old City of Monaco from the Palace Square, where the majestic Princely Palace is located, which today is the residence of the ruling Prince of Monaco Albert II and his wife - Princess Charlene.
From the Palace Square, surrounded by ancient cannons and pyramids of cores, you can enjoy picturesque panoramic views of Monaco: the port and Monte Carlo on one side.
And to the Fontvieille region from the other side.
Just a few hundred meters from the central square are the Palace of Justice and St. Nicholas Cathedral.
The Palace of Justice was opened in 1930. Built of noble gray Italian tufa in the style of Gothic Italian palazzos, this palace is perhaps one of Monaco's most beautiful buildings.
Directly next to the Palace of Justice stands the Cathedral of Monaco - St. Nicholas Cathedral.
The main cathedral of Monaco is made in the Romanesque style of white stone, contrasting with neighboring buildings and standing out among them.
It was in this cathedral that the wedding of the famous actress Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III took place on April 19, 1956.
Here, the popular favorite and her husband are buried - the cathedral of Monaco for centuries has been the tomb of the princes of the Grimaldi clan.
The old city is a maze of fancifully meandering narrow streets, which sometimes, expanding, form small shady squares.
The Kingdom of Monaco is a small Mediterranean country bordering France. It is included in the Schengen area, so if you do not want to make a visa for the trip, you can get there freely from most European countries.
The Principality has long attracted rich and famous people from around the world, therefore it is considered one of the places with the highest prices. This is only beneficial for the indigenous people of the country - Monegasques have various privileges, including that they do not pay taxes ... It's good to be a Monegasque!
Prices for accommodation in any city of Monaco are quite high, which is why I decided to give the country exactly one day so as not to spend money on a hotel. In addition, the state’s area is only two square kilometers, there are not too many attractions, so it simply did not make sense to stay for a long time.
The main cities of Monaco are the capital itself, bearing the same name with the country, Monaco (in French Monaco-Ville), as well as Monte Carlo, the famous casino city, where gambling lovers from all over the world come to try their luck. Amazing views of the first deserve a separate post, so I’ll tell you about Monte Carlo some other time.
To get to Monaco, I had to use a bus, however, it might be difficult to use other transport: the nearest airport is in Nice, and by train from Aix-en-Provence, where I lived at that moment, getting to Monaco is not only expensive, but also difficult. In general, traveling in France and neighboring countries is more convenient with a private car, even despite the presence of toll roads.
Monaco is located on a hill on a rocky shore above the blue Mediterranean Sea. Perhaps it’s worth going there at least for the sake of the views that open from the shore.
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True, it’s worth not looking back at the vast sea distances and light white sailboats, because if you turn away and the romantic picture collapses, you will see densely built-up modern quarters of La Condamine.
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What can you do, I'm not an urbanist and the old houses of French villages are dearer to me. However, for those who prefer to see the historical appearance of the city, there is something to see - the past and the future are too closely intertwined in Monaco. So, one of the attractions that won my heart is the creation of the late 19th century, the Oceanographic Museum, erected by the architect Paul Delefortry. Outside, it turned out to be more attractive than inside, but, it is exclusively for my taste - marine life and attract a little less than the strict contours of the building, as if grown into a rock.
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Which from the facade does not look so harsh, perhaps the whole thing is in the crabs ...
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Near the museum is a sculpture of a pretty pretty octopus.
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You can walk to the princely palace bypassing the garden, where, despite the cool March, bright tulips bloom ... And unfamiliar exotic plants.
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There you can also find a monument to Albert the First, eleventh Prince of Monaco, who served as a navigator in his youth, and this fact explains the unusual costume of the representative of the Grimaldi dynasty, who ruled the principality with varying successes from the 13th century ...
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The facade of the palace of the princes of Monaco, like the palace square, is striking in its modesty, causing a certain rush: after the St. Petersburg Hermitage and the Moscow Kremlin, you expect more luxury from the royal blood. Unfortunately, it was not possible to see the residence from the inside. Excursions are held only in the summer, when the ruling family moves from the city.
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The main attractions of the Principality of Monaco are concentrated in the historical center of the Principality in the Monaco-Ville (Old Town) area: Princely Palace, Cathedral of Monaco, Oceanographic Museum. You can spend the whole day here and still have the feeling that there was not enough time to enjoy the beauty of these attractions.
To have time to explore the interesting places of all areas, check out a brief description of the sights of Monaco, study the map with the sights of the Principality of Monaco. If you plan to spend a little time in the principality, look at the photos of Monaco sights, choose the most interesting for you and go get acquainted with this beautiful country!
Princely Palace
In the medieval district of Monaco-Ville is the residence of the ruling Grimaldi dynasty - the Palace of the Prince.
Visitors are greeted by a figure of a monk on the palace square - a monument to the first of the Grimaldi family, and a magnificent staircase in the main courtyard, a witness to all the most important ceremonies of the principality, invites you to go to the Princely Palace. The palace square offers a picturesque view of the principality.
It is best to arrive at the palace square at 11:55. It was at this time every day that the guard of honor of the Carabinieri guards of the Prince of Monaco changed, and tourists gathered here to see this bewitching solemn spectacle.
The Princely Palace is a mixture of architectural styles, since for many centuries the ruling princes changed and improved the appearance of the palace of their own free will.
Frescoes depicting various mythological subjects adorn the walls of the gallery of the Princely Palace (Hercules Gallery, or Italian Gallery). The history of the principality is represented in the frescoes on the left side of the chapel, and on the facade you can see the image of the Holy Virgin - the patroness of the principality of Monaco.
The interior of the Princely Palace is also open to curious tourists, but photographing is prohibited here.
The cathedral in Monaco was built in 1875 on the site of a 13th-century church, which was destroyed during the French Revolution. The cathedral is on a dais, as if watching everything that happens in the Principality of Monaco.
Go inside the temple to pay tribute to the princes of Monaco laid to rest here and admire the masterpieces of the artist Louis Brea, adorning the walls of the cathedral.
If you come to Monaco during the summer, you might be lucky to get to the International Organ Festival, which takes place at the Monaco Cathedral.
The bewitching sounds of the organ can be heard every Sunday, during church holidays and on Monegasque National Day (November 19).
It has been operating in Monaco for over a hundred years, which also includes the Institute of Oceanography of Paris. The initiator of the foundation of the museum was Prince Albert I, who was fond of navigation (a monument was erected to him in Monaco - the prince with a helm in his hands).
When you come to the museum, pay attention also to the building itself. Prince Albert I wanted the architecture of the museum to reflect its purpose, as it is a palace dedicated to art and science.
The Oceanographic Museum is built on a rock and it seems as if it came from the depths of the seas. The museum is really so magnificent that it becomes clear why it is also called the Temple of the Sea.
Go down to the lower level of the museum, where models of sea and ocean inhabitants are stored. In the 90 aquariums located here, you can also see many species of fish and corals, and the aquariums carved in the rocks became the habitat of sea urchins, crabs, octopuses and other representatives of the underwater kingdom.
Be sure to visit the Shark Lagoon, which is home to more than 2,000 species of exotic fish and, of course, sharks. To change your mind about the fearsome predators of the deep sea, take the chance to stroke the sharks.
Even if after such an experiment you cannot learn to love sharks, then you can’t be indifferent to the seas and oceans.
Perhaps Monaco is the only country in the world whose casinos are among the attractions.
This building in Monte Carlo has become a symbol of Monaco. Since 1865, when the casino was opened, millionaires from all over the world come here to experience fortune.
You can come to the casino just like that, “cheer” for active players. By the way, in contrast to the well-known rule that there should be no hours or windows in a casino, Monte Carlo casino has both, and the casino profit is an important part of the principality’s income.
If you win a million or two in a casino, do not rush to buy a house in the principality and become a citizen of Monaco, because only foreigners are allowed to play gambling in Monte Carlo.
If you are still afraid to cross the threshold of gambling establishments, admire the architectural masterpiece of Charles Garnier from afar, take a walk in the square near the Monte Carlo casino and walk along the beautiful terraces.
Want to diversify your stay in Monaco with a cultural event? Go to the Monte Carlo Opera. The hall is designed for 500 seats, but you need to worry about tickets in advance.
Architect Charles Garnier in the nineteenth century designed a copy of the Grand Opera in Paris in Monte Carlo. Entrance to the opera hall through the casino is one of the differences from the opera halls of the world.
Another feature of the Monte Carlo Opera is the presence of windows in the hall. Before the start of the performance, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the sea.
Monaco-Ville (Monaco-Ville), or Le Rocher (French), which means “rock” in translation - this is the name Monaco Old Town, which is located on a 141-meter monolithic cliff, towering above The Mediterranean Sea. It was this place that was first conquered by the dynasty Grimaldi in 1297, and continuing to rule the country to this day. Many centuries ago, Francesco Grimaldi, under the guise of a Franciscan monk, entered the city, then to let his soldiers into it.
Traditionally Monaco-Ville was one of four districts Principality of Monaco along with areas such as La Condamine, Monte Carlo and Fontvieille. Now there are ten districts in the Principality, but the Old Town has the largest number of attractions. This is a real open-air museum and just an unusually picturesque place. No wonder the Prince of Monaco himself lives here, in his castle.
Walk around the old city of Monaco. Route
A - Princely Palace and Palace Square (Palais Princier de Monaco, Place du Palais)
B - Palace of Justice (Palais de Justice)
C - Cathedral of St. Nicholas (La Cathédrale de Monaco)
D - City Hall Square and Chapel of Mercy (Place de la Mairie, Chapelle de la Miséricorde)
E - Place of Visitation and the museum at the chapel of Visitation (Place de la Visitation, Chapelle de la Visitation)
F - Oceanographic Museum (Musée Océanographique de Monaco)
G - Gardens of Saint-Martin (Jardins de Saint Martin)
Walk around The old city of Monaco convenient to start with Palace Squarewhere the magnificent Princely palace, which today is the residence of the ruling prince of Monaco Albert II and his wives, Princess Charlene.
When the prince is at home, a flag develops above the tower. Every day at 11:55 before Princely palace there is a change of guard. Between April 2 and October 31, 2014, the palace was partially open to visitors. The ticket costs 8 euros, but you can save some money by buying a combination ticket “Prince's Palace + Oceanographic Museum”. Such a ticket costs 19 euros, while the cost of visiting the Oceanographic Museum alone will be 14 euros. You can book tickets online on the official website of the Princely Palace. Also located in the south wing napoleon Museum with a rich history collection Principality of Monaco.
Wonderful panoramic views open from Palace Square, surrounded by ancient cannons and pyramids of cores. Monaco: port and Monte Carlo on the one hand,
fontvieille district with another ...
Just a few minutes walk from the Princely Palace are two very important buildings: Palace of Justice and St. Nicholas Cathedral.
Palace of Justice It was opened in 1930. Built from noble gray Italian tuff, this palace is perhaps one of the most beautiful buildings Monaco. Unfortunately, it is closed to visitors, so it will not work to see how justice is going on in one of the smallest countries in the world. Well, admire the beautiful building outside.
Monaco Cathedral rises above the Palace of Justice - st. Nicholas Cathedral. The main cathedral of Monaco is made in the Romanesque style of white stone, contrasting with neighboring buildings and standing out among them. In this cathedral on April 19, 1956, the wedding of the world famous princess grace and Prince Rainier III. Here the popular darling and her husband are buried - cathedral of monaco for centuries it has been the tomb of the princes of the Grimaldi clan.
Stroll through the narrow streets Monaco Old Town, here you can have a meal in one of the many cafes. Prices are not higher than in Nice. A large sandwich or panini will cost you 4-6 euros, espresso - 1.5 euros, cappuccino - 3 euros.
All roads will lead you to city Hall Squarewhere the building itself is located city Hall of Monacoas well as mail and chapel of mercy - one of the oldest buildings of the principality, built in the distant 1639th year. Originally in chapel of mercy representatives of the brotherhood of repentant sinners gathered - as they called themselves. And their rector was none other than Prince Honore II, ruling at that time. It is from here every year on Holy Friday for many centuries in a row that the procession begins.
Interior decoration chapels of mercy It is fascinating. And the famous wooden figure of Christ was created by the sculptor of Napoleon Bonaparte himself.
On the visiting Square is museum at the chapel of Visitation, which stores Baroque works of Barbara Piaceka Johnson, Rubens, Ribera and other Italian painters of the 17th century.
Go around the museum at the chapel of Visitation on the left side, going down the stairs, and you will immediately see the magnificent structure founded by Prince Albert I and opened in 1910. Initially, the museum was conceived as a palace of science and art, so the building is not inferior in magnitude to many other palaces.
At one time, the director of the museum was himself Jacques Cousteau. In 2010, the centenary of the birth of the famous explorer of the oceans was celebrated here.
Around the Oceanographic Museum are charming gardens of Saint Martinopened in the 1830th year. It is forbidden to arrange picnics, ride bicycles and skateboards, as well as take pictures with cameras on tripods so that no one will disturb your pacifying walk through these magnificent gardens. IN gardens of Saint Martin several interesting sculptures, various flowers and plants, including huge cacti, are presented.
There is also a children’s playground (from the Prince’s Palace), hidden from the bright sun in the cool shade of the trees. And from the observation deck, a wonderful view opens each time striking with its blue Mediterranean Sea and stately building Oceanographic Museum of Monaco.
Very close to the Oceanographic Museum (on the left side of it) every summer, from the end of June to the end of September, it works open-air cinema (Monaco Open Air Cinema). Every evening, viewers can watch films in English with French subtitles here, while enjoying the clean air and sea views. And do not forget to bring a blanket with you - it can be cool on the shore in the evening. More information about the cinema, as well as the schedule of sessions can be found.
For centuries, Monaco has been a welcome target for the Genoese, French and Spaniards. Therefore, the rulers were always worried that the rock of Monaco was strengthened, for which in the 13th century. at the very beginning of the rule of the Grimaldi clan, a castle was built at the top. Prince Honore II (1597-1662) took the first steps to turn this fortified castle into a palace. All military facilities were preserved, but the inner chambers were rebuilt for more convenient housing. Art galleries, comfortable furniture, and precious utensils appeared. Later, the palace was repeatedly restored and modernized.
Among the private chambers of the ruling family there is a very beautiful gallery in the Italian style, decorated with wall paintings, salons, a throne room, in which from the 16th century. all ceremonies are held. In the south wing of the palace is the Napoleonic Museum and Archive, which houses collections of postage stamps and coins of Monaco from 1640 and historical documents of the principality from the 13th century, among which is the Charter of Independence, signed by Louis X. There are over 120 thousand in the library at the princely palace . volumes. The palace offers beautiful views of the port and the coast. Every day at 11.55 in the square in front of the palace, surrounded by a battery of guns cast in the era of Louis XIV, you can watch the changing ceremony of the guard.
sights
At the northeastern end of the cliff stands a fortress of the early 18th century. - Fort Antoine (Antoine Fort), built by Prince Antoine I, a passionate lover of music. Now the fortress is used as an open theater for 350 spectators. The old town (Vieille Ville) is very small: Bosio Square is named after the personal sculptor Napoleon, a native of Monaco, Saint Nicolas Square, the gardens of St. Martin (Saint-Martin), the chapel of Paix (Paix) . Residential buildings of the 16-18th centuries have been preserved. The Chapelle de la Misericorde Chapel, built in 1635 as a meeting place for the Brotherhood of the Repentant Sinners, is located on City Hall Square in the Old Town. The first rector of the church was Prince Honore II. The chapel houses a wooden sculpture of Christ made by Monegasque Francis-Joseph Bosio, the official sculptor of Emperor Napoleon I.
On the site of the ancient church of St. Nicholas (Saint-Nicolas) of the 13th century, from which the altar, painted in the 16th century, has been preserved. artist Louis Brea, was erected a white stone cathedral (Cathedrale de Monaco) (1874-1898, architect S. Lenormand) in the pseudo-Romanesque style. The columns are made of granite and porphyry of various shades, and the altar is made of Carrara marble. The domed mosaic of the temple is very beautiful. Members of the Grimaldi clan are buried in the cathedral. In the Gardens of St. Martin (Jardin Saint Martin) among the pines, agaves and aloe, fountains and bronze statues are located, one of them is a monument to Prince Albert I. From the gardens laid out in the Old Town, a beautiful view of the sea opens. The Oceanographic Museum (Musee Oceanographique) is one of the area’s main attractions. The museum was opened in 1911 (the modern building was built in 1910, architect Delefortrey) at the initiative of Prince Albert I, a member of the French Academy, a passionate oceanographer. The Oceanographic Museum is the scientific base of the International Institute of Oceanography in Paris. Many scientists from all over the world work here. For many years, the director of the museum was Jacques-Yves Cousteau. The museum library has over 30 thousand volumes.
On the ground floor of the museum is an exposition of marine vessels and submarines, as well as an exhibition of marine fish and mammals. In addition, there is a huge museum-aquarium, where more than 9 thousand fish of 350 species are represented in 90 huge aquariums. In 2001, a new huge aquarium with a volume of 450 cubic meters was opened. m. This real lagoon is represented by deep-sea flora and fauna of tropical waters. The originality of the new attraction is a giant reef, recreated in a life-size aquarium and giving visitors a sense of the real sea.
At the Museum of Old Monaco (Musee du Vieux Monaco), the National Committee of Monegasque Traditions displays collections of objects that tell the history of Mount Monaco: paintings, books, ceramics, old photographs, costumes, household items. And in the Wax Museum of the Princes of Monaco (Historial des Princes de Monaco. Musee de Cires), episodes of the history of the Grimaldi dynasty from the end of the 13th century are reflected. until now. Wax figures are made in full size, many of them are dressed in genuine costumes of various eras. Monaco also has a meteorological station and a seismological observatory.
La Condamine, a region and port in Monaco, on the shores of the Ligurian Sea (part of the Mediterranean Sea). Located in a small bay, between the rocky capes of Monaco and Monte Carlo. In La Condamine, the majority of the country's population lives - about 10 thousand people. The resort and the center of tourism. The business life of Monaco is concentrated in this area, there are the main trading districts and industrial enterprises of the country (a brewery and flour mills, a confectionery, a weaving and a garment factory; production of souvenirs, a shipyard, a printing house). Here are the national library and the stadium.
The church dedicated to the patroness of Monaco, Saint Devote (L "Eglise Sainte-Devote), was built in the 11th century near the place where her skiff sank in the 4th century. Each year, on January 26, with the onset of dusk, a ship’s model is burned The church was restored and expanded during the reign of Prince Charles III in 1870. The market (Marche la Condamine) has existed on this site since 1880, its modern indoor pavilion is a functional building, which is connected by elevators and escalators to a car park. Trading floors are made in the form of esplanades with hanging gardens, a fountain, colorful trading stands and counters. An unusually beautiful and cozy pedestrian street of Princess Caroline begins two steps from the market. Two rows of orange trees, hanging baskets of flowers, boutiques, cafes and restaurants, terraces, which gradually begin to be highlighted with the onset of twilight, illumination is accompanied by sound effects.
One of the most famous attractions of Monaco is the Exotic Garden (Jardin Exotique), located on a hillside. Several thousand species of tropical plants thanks to the microclimate of Monaco bloom lushly at any time of the year. At the foot of the slope is the entrance to a deep grotto with stalactites, stalagmites and limestone formations, animated by skilful lighting. The Anthropological Museum of the Prehistoric Period (Musee Anthropologie Prehistorique) was founded in 1902 by Prince Albert I. It contains artifacts from excavation sites in the vicinity of Monaco and Italian Liguria. Museum exhibits trace the most important stages in the history of the appearance and formation of man.
The Fontvieille district is located in the west of Monaco. The entire coastal part of this region is an artificially created alluvial territory. In the landscape park (Parc Paysager de Fontvieille) with an area of \u200b\u200b4 hectares, a huge collection of plants from all over the world, which are planted around ponds inhabited by ducks and swans, is collected. One of the parts of this park is the Roseraie Princesse Grace, opened in 1984 and dedicated to the wife of Prince Rainier III, Princess Grace, a great lover of flowers. Of more than 5 thousand rose bushes, more than 150 species are unique varieties.
The exposition of the Maritime Museum (Musee Naval de Monaco) presents the history of shipbuilding. The collection includes about 180 models of famous ships from transatlantic liners to military ships. The collection of antique cars of the Prince of Monaco (Collection de voitures anciennes de S.A.S. le Prince de Monaco) contains about 100 cars of the old models of the most prestigious brands. On the southern slope of the cliff of Monaco, a zoological garden was established and opened in 1954 by Prince Rainier III, which contains numerous species of tropical and African fauna. The stadium of Louis II (Stade Louis II) with 20 thousand seats, where the local football team is training, was opened in 1985.