See where the Prince of Monaco's palace is located. Princely Palace. How do members of the princely family live?

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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” means 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 such as Spain or France, so during construction they did not 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 rebuilt, which is why it expanded quite rapidly, like a decent bourgeois after 35. By the way, due to the fact that the palace always belonged to the princely family, you can easily guess from the appearance and wealth of the outbuildings, when the nobility had complete order with their money, and when they had to tighten their belts.

Princely Palace - La Palais Princier. Built on the top of a cliff in 1215 on the site of a former Genoese fortress, it is now the residence of the ruling family Grimaldi. this is where it is located Historical archive And Napoleon Museum. The changing of the guards can be seen on Palace Square .

IN Monaco There is no conscription, 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. The changing of the guards can be seen on Palace Square . Monaco is the only country in the world in which the military band is larger than the armed forces: it has 85 musicians. Despite the fact that it has been constantly reconstructed since the 18th century, its architecture still retains the ancient square crenellated towers. When Prince located in the palace, the princely standard flutters above the tower of St. Mary. Prince Honore II, who died in 1661, made an enormous contribution to cultural heritage. The prince spent his whole life arranging the princely palace; it was he who built the southern wing, where the Large Apartments are now located, they are so readily shown to the public. He also laid the foundation for a vibrant collection of art objects - more than 700 canvases, tapestries, furniture and silverware. The palace can be called a real museum: more than 700 paintings by the greatest painters, unique frescoes and tapestries, the halls are decorated with Italian marble, silver and gilding, ebony, silks and velvets. The most beautiful premises - Italian gallery, salon Louis XV, the Blue Salon, the Mazarin Salon, the Throne Room, the Chapel of the Palantine, built in the 17th century, and the Tower of St. Mary, as well as the courtyard of the palace. The Court of Honor is considered to be the former central part of the 13th-century fortress. He took on his present appearance in architectural terms during his reign. Honore II. His successor is Prince Louis planned to “cut” a door in the front façade of the building facing Palace Square and the old city. Then, during the restoration work carried out by the prince Rainier III, Court of Honor was paved with three million white and colored stones, forming giant geometric shapes. In 1960, the sovereign prince gives the opportunity to the prestigious National Opera Orchestra (which since 1980 has been called Philharmonic Orchestra of Monte Carlo), which has earned international recognition, organize concerts on the territory Court of Honor. Since then it has become a tradition that in the summer Court of Honor becomes a stage underneath open air for concerts classical music the highest level, where great soloists and orchestra conductors perform. The maintenance of the 180-room palace costs $4 million annually. This is also where Historical archive And Napoleon Museum. (Souvenirs Napoleoniens Et Des Archives Du Palais Princier). Located in the southern wing of the palace, the first floor of the museum houses more than a thousand objects and documents relating to the First Empire, as well as personal belongings Napoleon I.Among them there are personal items Napoleon, some of which were brought from St. Helena. The second floor is dedicated to history Monaco. Prince Louis II began collecting this collection in 1919. The Decree of Independence is displayed here Monaco, signed by the King France by Louis XII, letter L Judiciary XIV to Prince Antoine I, state awards of the Principality (Ordre des Grimaldi and Ordre de Saint-Charles) and awards of other countries that were awarded to the Princes Monaco. Historical archive Princely Palace contains many documents, including those belonging to the Russian Emperor Alexander II. Open from 10:00 to 18:15, but closed annually from January to 1 April and from November to 31 December. Ticket price - 8 Euro, including visit Napoleon Museum- 9 Euro.

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 façade rise four square watchtowers with jagged edges that 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 southern wing is a staircase made of Carrara marble, which in appearance resembles the famous staircase Palace of Fontainebleau. 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 Honore 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.

The Genoese built a princely palace on the territory in 1191; it was built instead of an ancient fort, which is why its location is called unique. In the thirteenth century, the palace belonged to the Grimaldi family, and over the years it was constantly expanded and rebuilt. Tourists who come here see the luxury of the palace, which has survived to this day. After all, the frescoes and Italian gallery of the 16th century have been preserved. Visitors are also invited to the Mazarin salon, which is decorated with wooden and multi-colored panels. The Louis XV salon is decorated in yellow and gold tones. The Blue Hall enchants thanks to the harmonious combination of gold and various shades of blue.

In Monaco, the Prince's Palace is one of the main attractions. Although the construction of the palace dates back to the 13th century, it was reconstructed during the Renaissance. Today, tourists of different generations strive to see this majestic structure with their own eyes. The palace building was built in Monaco-Ville, on Palace Square. The princely palace has existed for over seven centuries, and all this time the Grimaldi dynasty, which rules in Monaco, has lived here. Therefore, the princely palace has such rich history. In addition, it is an excellent example of the skill of architects who lived several centuries ago. Therefore, it attracts the attention of tourists with its uniqueness.

Features of the Prince's Palace

Today, the princely palace is the official residence of the princely dynasty and the fortress of Monaco. When the prince leaves the palace, it is open to visitors. This can be understood by the flag that is installed on the roof. When the prince leaves the palace for an indefinite period of time, the flag is lowered slightly. Visitors are allowed to see the interior of the palace and all its splendor. It is worth noting that travelers coming to Monaco do not go only to look at the palace outside and inside. After all, the ceremony of changing the guard, which protects the safety of the prince, also deserves special attention. This ceremony can be seen every day at noon, the whole thing lasts about five minutes. Therefore, you should not be late.

The Prince's Palace provides an opportunity to get acquainted with the history and culture of Monaco. The stunning architecture of the palace is amazing. In Monaco-Ville, this building stands out from all the others. At the same time, you can see many objects on the territory of the palace; they are also called individual attractions. There are a total of fifteen halls in the palace, and tourists can also see the Throne Room itself. The Napoleon Museum is located in the southern part of the palace and houses a collection of items belonging to the French emperor.

The Grimaldi dynasty has always fought for the honor and preservation of the sovereignty of the principality. Therefore, they constantly strengthened the princely palace, as a result it became a reliable fortress. However, at one time the palace was attacked by the French, who destroyed it. Until 1814, the palace was empty, then it was used as a hospital. Then it was returned to the Grimaldi dynasty, from a deplorable state the palace was transformed into a museum thanks to Rainier S. In Monaco, the princely palace is a special attraction.

“... 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. Length coastline– 4.1 km. The length of the land borders is 4.4 km. The highest point of Monaco (163 m above sea level) is at southern slope Mount 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. Official language Monaco is considered French, the spoken dialect is Monegasque (a mixture of the Provençal dialect French with 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 the 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 the Ghibelline party when the Ghibelline party came to power. hometown and settled in Provence, and in 1297 Francesco Grimaldi, nicknamed “Malicia” (“Insidious”), disguised as a monk, knocked on the gates of the fortress on a cold January evening. 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 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

Princely Palace and Old city

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, there is a a big 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 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 into 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 Court of Justice is Cathedral, which 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 a distinguished “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, worldwide famous traveler and an 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.

 

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