Princely Palace. Monaco - a fabulous principality of the Mediterranean Prince's Palace in Monaco address

The Prince's Palace is one of the most interesting sights of Monaco. It serves both as the official residence of the rulers of the state from the Grimaldi family, and as the most attractive place for tourists to visit. Indeed, this wonderful palace amazes with its majestic appearance. This Monte Carlo landmark has belonged to the Genoese family of Grimaldi since the late thirteenth century.

History of the Prince's Palace

Initially, on the site of the current palace there was Genoese fortress, built back in 1215 by Fulco de Casselo. And in 1297, Francesco Grimaldi, expelled from Genoa, disguised himself as a monk and secretly entered the fortress. He managed to occupy it, and from then on it belonged to the famous Grimaldi family. This dynasty has become the oldest ruling to this day in Europe.

A lot happened to the fortress, and in the end the Prince's Palace was erected in its place. Despite the fact that other European sovereigns of that time built luxurious palaces In the Baroque style, Monegasque rulers understood that their residence must be reliably fortified. Relations with neighboring states of Monaco were very unreliable, which means it was necessary to secure its space as much as possible.

Largely because of this unique requirement for that time, the Princely Palace became so stunning architectural object. It was the only one of its kind, not resplendent with excessive luxury, but reliably fortified on all fronts. However, even such measures did not prevent French troops from capturing the palace at the end of the 18th century.

Palace today

All tourists visiting Monaco can notice that Monaco-Ville, the area in which the palace is located, is a very well-groomed area of ​​the city. By the way, if a flag is raised above the roof of the princely palace, it means that Prince Rainier the Third is at home.

In the palace you can see the Italian gallery, the Salon of Louis XV, the throne room, the Mazarin Salon and much more.

In the courtyard summer time open-air concerts are held.

In one wing of the palace there is a museum open to the public, in the other, southwestern, there are Grimaldi’s personal chambers. In summer, some of these chambers also become open to travelers.

Interesting fact: in 1956, Rainier married the famous Hollywood star, who to this day is the subject of admiration and imitation for many - Grace Kelly. This actress starred in 3 films of the legendary Hitchcock, and in 1982 she tragically died in a car accident. There is even a street named after the actress - Princess Grace Avenue. By the way, on this street there is a fabulous and magical National Doll Museum. It is here that the door to childhood opens slightly and the edges of reality are erased.

The history of Monaco began in the 13th century, when Fulco de Cassello in 1215 laid the foundation of the fortress, the predecessor of the modern Princely Palace. Even Virgil in his poems mentioned this land as “an impregnable fortress, a quiet port, sheltered from all winds.” Julius Caesar assembled his fleet here in preparation for war with Pompey. In the 13th century, when these lands were under the rule of the Genoese, Francesco Grimaldi, expelled from Genoa, managed to capture the impregnable fortress of Monaco in 1297. Disguised as a monk, he entered the fortress, managed to lull the vigilance of the Genoese guards and open the gates of the fortress, already besieged by his army.

So who was this Francesco Grimaldi? The Grimaldi are one of the four families that ruled the Genoese Republic for more than five centuries, until it was captured by Napoleon. The Grimaldis were perhaps the most influential and powerful family of the four. At least they are the only ones who have still retained power (the princes of Monaco are the successors of the Grimaldi family) and for seven centuries the Monegasque throne has invariably been passed on to the descendants of this family. This is an indispensable condition for the very existence of the principality: according to the treaty of 1815, the end of the dynasty means the immediate entry of France into possession of the territory of the principality. And the other three families - Fieschi, Doria and Spinola - if they have not disappeared completely, then they have nothing to do with power, but even with any major government posts.
Since then, for seven centuries, the throne of Monaco has been invariably passed on to the descendants of the Grimaldi family. This is an indispensable condition for the very existence of the principality: according to the treaty of 1815, the end of the dynasty means the immediate entry of France into possession of the territory of the principality.
While all European monarchs built luxurious palaces for themselves, the Monegasque rulers were forced to create an impregnable fortress - a “stone nest,” as it was called in the Middle Ages. The palace of the Grimaldi dynasty, which has ruled the oldest state in Europe for more than eight centuries, is nestled on wild rocks washed by waters Mediterranean Sea. And the Alps, bordering the country with a picturesque amphitheater, have protected Monaco for many centuries not only from fierce northern winds, but also from conquerors.

The princely palace stands on an inaccessible sheer cliff, and its high fortress wall, like a crown, crowns the top of the rock. Four crenellated towers, reminiscent of chess rooks, look out over both sea and land. There is only one entrance to the fortress, and even that one looks more like a tunnel, which is guarded on both sides by guards in booths.

One may ask the question, why create such fortifications? The answer is simple. In the Middle Ages they said: “He who owns a fortress owns the keys to the Mediterranean.” Advantageous position principalities at the crossroads of trade routes allowed him to control mountain roads And sea ​​routes, along which caravans with goods walked. And the Grimaldi did not at all disdain open robberies, and then, deciding to legitimize them, they completely introduced tolls for travel through their territory.
In the 15th century, the building was expanded to accommodate a military garrison of 400 soldiers.


The coat of arms of the House of Grimaldi is two Franciscan monks with swords.
And yet, the castle slowly but surely began to turn into a well-fortified palace. First, Lamberto Grimaldi, and then, in 1458-1494, and his son John II erected new buildings and expanded the eastern part of the fortress. During this period, the main building of three floors appeared, reliably protected by the high walls of the tower of St. Mary, built of white La Turbie stone.
In the first half of the 17th century. Honoré II significantly expanded the fortress, turning it into a Renaissance palace and building, among other things, the southern wing with the Grand Apartments. Honore collected various rarities, from furniture and paintings to silver. By the end of his life, his collection numbered about 700 items.
The courtyard of the palace, surrounded by arcades with frescoes of the 16th-17th centuries, and paved with multi-colored pebbles laid out in geometric shapes, is capable of striking the imagination. From here, along a double external staircase with bizarre bends of marches, visitors enter the Gallery of Hercules.

The southwestern wing now houses the princely archives and the Napoleon Museum. The exhibition is dedicated to the emperor and his family.
The museum houses more than a thousand objects and documents relating to the First Empire, as well as the personal belongings of Napoleon I. Sculptural and painted portraits, weapons, awards, personal belongings and documents tell about the coronation ceremony, the emperor’s military campaigns, and his personal life. Prince Louis II began collecting this collection in 1919. The museum also displays items belonging to the Russian Emperor Alexander II.
But we didn’t get into it, since it only works in the first half of the day.
The most beautiful rooms of the Palace:
An Italian gallery running along the southern façade with frescoes of mythological subjects by Genoese masters of the 16th century.
Salon of Louis XV in yellow and gold tones.
Blue interior, which wonderfully combines blue and gold.
Mazarin salon, decorated with multi-colored wood in the Moorish style.
The throne room with a large fireplace has been used for official ceremonies since the 16th century.

photo from the Internet
Palantine Chapel, built in the 17th century.
The courtyard of the palace is paved with multi-colored pebbles arranged in geometric shapes. Famous summer open-air concerts are held here.

The Palace Square is located around the palace; it amazes with many cannons cast in the era of Louis XIV and pyramids made of cannonballs.

There is no conscription in Monaco, and the prince usually asks the French government to allow him to take French citizens into the service of protecting the state. 82 French guards - the entire army of the prince. They guard the palace. Only once was the army alerted. This happened in 1962. The fate of Monaco hangs in the balance. French President General de Gaulle threatened to cut off electricity and water supplies to the principality if it did not stop luring bankers to itself and did not introduce an income tax. 80 guards Royal Palace and 207 Monaco police officers were alerted. Fortunately, the war did not happen. The prince made concessions...

The changing of the guards can be observed on Palace Square at noon.


Monaco is the only country in the world with a military band larger than its armed forces, with 85 musicians.
On Palace Square there is a monument to Grimaldi

and the beloved wife of one of his descendants.

And also a magnificent observation deck


from which amazingly beautiful views open up.

The princely palace, rebuilt and expanded several times, is surrounded by wealth, sunshine and paradise gardens. Time destroyed the Roman Empire, the empires of Alexander the Great and Napoleon, but spared this small principality. Apparently, even Time did not have the courage to destroy this Beauty.

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Unlike the flighty and fickle European monarchs, the princes of Monaco never changed their residence - for more than 700 years, this palace was and remains the home of the royal family.

Usually the word “palace” is understood as something light, Disney-airy, fairy-tale and not particularly durable. However, the palace in Monaco is not like that - local princes always risked getting nuts from pugnacious and large neighbors like Spain or France, so during construction they didn’t spend much money on “modelling”. But the walls turned out to be strong and thick, and the cannons were long and reliable (by the way, they still stand on the platform in front of the palace, shining in the sun with their barrels polished to a shine).

However, when Monaco began to slowly transform from a small but proud principality into an expensive and elite tourist paradise, and uninvited guests became welcome clients, the palace was actively rebuilt, rebuilt, and because of this it grew quite rapidly in breadth, like a decent bourgeois after 35. By the way, due to the fact that the palace always belonged to the princely family, appearance and the wealth of the extensions can easily guess when the nobility had complete order with their money, and when they had to tighten their belts.

Prince's Palace of Monaco – official residence the Grimaldi family since 1297, who, unlike the flighty and fickle European monarchs, never changed their residence - for more than 700 years this palace has been and remains the home of the royal family.

The princely palace is located on the flat top of a rocky cliff, which rises 60 meters above sea level.

It is believed that the history of the palace begins in 1191, when the Genoese built a medieval fortress on this site, which by the 17th century had turned into one of the most luxurious European palaces.

Unfortunately, during the French Revolution, the palace was almost completely looted, so more early period can only be judged by the architecture, which reflected the political and financial power of the Grimaldi family.

In 1997, the Grimaldi family celebrated the seven hundredth anniversary of their reign in Monaco at the palace.

Part of the palace is open for official events, while the other, the southwestern part, is residential and members of the princely family live there.

Unique features of the palace

The princely palace is divided into four parts - residential, official, formal dining room and guest quarters, as well as a church.

When the Prince of Monaco is in the palace, the princely standard flies above the tower of St. Mary.

In the summer, the Prince of Monaco's palace partially opens its apartments for inspection by tourists, and the rest of the time the premises are used for their intended purpose - government affairs are taking place here.

The outside of the palace has snow-white columns and mosaic facades, and in the courtyard you can see frescoes depicting various heroes of myths and legends.

To recreate its former beauty, experts from the Louvre itself worked on the decoration in the middle of the last century.

On the 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.

At the corners of the palace rise four square watchtowers with jagged edges, which remain from the Genoese fortress.

Above the white stone portal is the coat of arms of Monaco in the form of a bas-relief.

Snow-white marble stairs, polished stone floors with patterns, a wide and bright courtyard leave a feeling of restraint and splendor at the same time.

In the depths of the courtyard is the palace chapel of St. John the Baptist, built in 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.

Adjacent to the south wing is a staircase made of Carrara marble (17th century), made in the likeness of the famous staircase of the Palace of Fontainebleau, leading to the Gallery of Hercules, where you can admire 17th-century frescoes depicting the exploits of Hercules and other mythological figures.

Claude Vignon and the Genoese master Orazio de Ferrari worked on the creation of the frescoes.

In the same wing is located Mirror gallery, followed by a suite of state apartments intended for receptions 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 refers to 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).

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.

In the palace you can also see several museum collections, for example, the Napoleon Museum (Mus?e des Souvenirs napol?oniens) displays more than 1,000 objects and documents preserving the memory of the French emperor, including clothes and personal belongings of Napoleon.

The fact is that Grimaldi and Buonoparte are relatives.

The museum contains many archival documents, there are various medals of the Napoleonic era, flags.

Some items that belonged to Napoleon personally are also exhibited here - a snuff box, a tricolor scarf, and a lorgnette.

On the same floor as the Napoleonic Museum, you can see a variety of documents related to the history of the Principality of Monaco, medals, maps, ancient engravings and drawings depicting the Principality, and it is here that the Charter of Independence of Monaco, signed by Louis XII, is kept.

In addition, in one of the display cases there is a piece of stone brought from the Moon by American astronauts.

It is also interesting to see the museum of antique cars, which is based on the collection collected by Prince Rainier III. It is located nearby at the foot of the cliff.

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 palace entrance, on palace square, surrounded by a battery of cannons from the time of Louis XIV, the ceremony of changing the guard begins.