Monaco - a fabulous Mediterranean principality
“. . . folded by nature itself
fortress, the happiest tribe homeland,
this world is special, this wonderful diamond in silver
the 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 sea, with a population of 34 thousand people, of which only 4.500 have Monegasque citizenship. The area of the country is only 1.95 sq. km, so the Principality is in the world leaders in terms of population density of 15.920 persons / sq. km. km. It borders the French department of Alpes-Maritimes, so half of its inhabitants are French, the rest consists mainly of Monegasques and Italians. The official language of Monaco is French, the spoken language is the Monegasque dialect (a mixture of the Provenç al dialect of French with the Ligurian dialect of Italian). Monaco includes the merged city districts of Monaco (old town), Monte Carlo, La Condamine (business center and port) and Fontvieille (industrial area). Luxurious apartments overlooking the Mediterranean Sea are home to millionaires attracted to Monaco's mild climate and low taxes.
The name of the country comes from the name of one of the Ligurian tribes that once inhabited these places. In ancient times, the local port, known as the "Port of Hercules" and mentioned in many legends of the Mediterranean, was called "Portus Herculis Monoesi". In the 12th century, Genoa secured from the Holy Roman Emperor and King of Germany Henry VI the right to own the port and the rock of Monaco, and in 1215 a fortress was built, which currently houses the prince's palace.
In 1295, Grimaldi, a noble Genoese family supporting the Guelph party, upon the coming to power of the Ghibelline party, was expelled from his native city and settled in Provence, and in 1297 Francesco Grimaldi, nicknamed "Malicia" ("Insidious"), disguised in a monk, knocked on a cold January evening at the gates of the fortress. He was inspired and Francesco with his associates broke into the castle and took possession of it. However, the dominion of Grimaldi lasted only four years, and in 1301 they were forced to cede the fortress to the Republic of Genoa again. After that, Monaco repeatedly regained its independence, then 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 (GDP per capita $ 25 thousand) and one of the most popular centers of international tourism.
Prince's Palace and Old Town
We begin our acquaintance with the Principality of Monaco with a big climb leading to the Rock. Climbing this road, we admire the bastions of the ancient fortress, especially the Orion tower. In the past, 18 cannons performed the functions of protecting the fortress.
After passing through the historical gates, we enter the square in front of the Palace, the protection of which is currently entrusted to the honorary guard of the carabinieri. At the initial stage of the history of Monaco, this guard was formed from the ranks of the National Militia, and from 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 uniforms are decorated with red in summer and black galloons in winter) takes place daily at 11 a. m. 50 min. accompanied by a brass band of the Guards.
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 souvenir shops everywhere.
We approach the Cathedral, which was opened in 1884, and visit it. On either side of the main altar are the mortuary chapel of the Princes of Monaco and the Chapel of the Holy Sacrament. The ashes of the princes who ruled in Monaco, as well as Princess Grace, rest in the aisle behind the altar.
San Martin Garden and Oceanographic Museum
Then we turn to a picturesque garden full of exotic plants, small ponds with floating goldfish.
Along the road are numerous statues.
The picturesque path of the garden of San Martin leads us to the Oceanographic Museum, the way to which was shown to us by the illustrious "guide" - a statue of Prince Albert I, towering on the seashore. And the museum itself crashed into a rock above the sea itself.
More about the Oceanographic Museum. Being a prominent oceanographer, Prince Albert I founded this museum in 1899. For many years, the museum was managed by Jacques-Yves Cousteau, a world famous traveler and explorer of the oceans, who continued the research work of its creator and at the same time shared the results of this work with a large number of people. No wonder the famous bathyscaphe Cousteau stands at the entrance to the museum.
A visit to the museum includes a visit to the "Aquarium", where more than 70 halls show the fauna of all the seas of the planet. In the Central Hall there is a permanent exhibition about the expeditions of Prince Albert I, and in the Physical Oceanography Hall there is an exposition dedicated to the planet's ecosystems.
Monte Carlo and Casino
We leave the Old City and go down. We pass by the water park, freshening up on the go in front of one of the water dispensers installed along the road.
We continue our acquaintance with the principality along the famous track, where the Monaco Grand Prix car races have been held since 1929, which is reminiscent of a kind of sculpture of the famous racer.
We approach Monte Carlo with its world-famous Casino. Those wishing to try their luck entered it to play slot machines, some were lucky - they won, however, not much.
The history of the emergence of this "golden square" of the principality is interesting. Frans Blanc, a brilliant businessman, in 1863 took on the terms of a concession the company "Joint Society for Sea Bathing of Monaco", established in 1856, renaming it into "Joint Stock Company for Sea Bathing of Monaco and the Club of Foreigners". Very soon, the buildings of the Casino (1863), the Hotel de Paris (1864) and the Café de Paris (1868) grew up on the plain of Le Spelug. By decree of June 1.1866, Prince Charles III officially assigned the name "Monte Carlo" to this new area, and a whole galaxy of prominent personalities who visited it gave it the brilliance and world fame that characterize it to this day.
We also remember Monte Carlo as a small cozy park, on the sides of which the above-mentioned sights are located.
We leave this small principality with the thought of how much big can be placed in so small...
