The Principality of Monaco is located in Southern Europe,on the border of Italy and France. It is one of the smallest states in the world. When mentioning Monaco, the city of Monaco itself (the capital of the country), the port and business center of La Condamine, the industrial area of ​​Fontvieille come to mind. But, of course, first of all, Monaco is associated with the abode of rest and the casino of Monte Carlo. Tourists from all over the world come here, wanting to get an unforgettable and full of impressions vacation. And indeed, the entertainment industry in Monaco is developed at the highest level. Everything here is done for the pleasure of tourists. Also, every tourist on a trip simply must see the sights of Monaco.

What to do in Monaco

As a rule, any acquaintance with a new countrybegins with its capital. The capital of Monaco is the city of the same name. It is small: its population is only 3 thousand residents. Most of the population of the principality lives in La Condamine. Monaco is a very picturesque city, which is located on a cliff. It is considered an old city, and for good reason, because its medieval appearance has been generally preserved. Monaco has many attractions: the princely palace complex, the Oceanographic Museum, the Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology, the cathedral. If you came to try your luck at roulette, Monaco is the best place for this. The gaming halls of the world-famous Monte Carlo Casino attract players from all over the world. In total, there are five casinos in Monte Carlo, luxurious, meeting even the most refined and demanding taste. They are rightfully considered the landmark of the principality. Beautiful ladies seek to visit chic salons to relax and get beauty sessions in the famous spas, for which Monaco is famous. In Monaco, there are classic cabarets, casinos, and quite ordinary night clubs where you can dance to modern music, and the most ordinary pubs. The variety gives the opportunity to choose a holiday to your taste. If you are a lover of art in any form, Monaco will be interesting for you too. The world-famous opera, ballet troupe, orchestra, Princess Grace Drama Theater - all the attractions are at your service. Art lovers will be impressed by the art exhibitions that take place in the Grimaldi Forum and the galleries, of which there are a great many. History lovers should definitely visit the Oceanographic Museum. Here you will be told about the history and different aspects of life in the Principality of Monaco. Although the hotels have swimming pools, you can also go to the public beach Plage du Larvotto, where you can not only swim and sunbathe, but also enjoy the most beautiful landscapes of the Mediterranean. Whatever type of holiday you are attracted to, time flies in Monaco cheerfully, diversely and imperceptibly!

Sightseeing: churches, cathedrals, chapels

For those who are impressed by majestic temples and old chapels, who love to look at the interior of cathedrals, there is something to see in Monaco.

• Church of Holy Virgin

Saint Devote is the patron saint of Monaco.The church was built in the 11th century. It is located in the Vallon de Gaumates area. The location was not chosen by chance. In the 4th century, a Christian woman from Corsica was executed on a skiff, and the skiff itself sank in the very place near which the church was subsequently built. In 1870, the church was expanded and restored. Every year on January 26, the feast of Saint Devote is celebrated. At dusk, a symbolic burning of a model of the ship on which the saint was executed takes place in the square in front of the church.

• Cathedral of Monaco

This is the main cathedral of the principality.It was erected on the site of an old church from the 13th century. The cathedral is built of white stone, which gives the building a special beauty and sophistication. Be sure to see the paintings of Louis Brera, the pulpit and the altar. It is here that the tomb of Princess Grace, who is very much loved in Monaco, and the burial vault of the Grimaldi family are located. If you have the opportunity to visit the cathedral on a religious holiday or on November 19, when Monaco celebrates National Day, you will be doubly lucky, because you will hear the sound of the organ, which was installed in the cathedral back in 1976.

• Chapel of Mercy

The chapel is located on the City Hall Square, which isold town. It was built in 1635. Initially, it was built as a meeting place for the Brotherhood of Penitent Sinners, whose rector was Prince Honore II. For tourists, this place is interesting because the chapel contains a sculpture of Jesus Christ carved from wood. This masterpiece was created by François-Jose Bosio, Napoleon's official sculptor.

• Church of St. Charles

The church appeared in 1883.It is distinguished by its elegance and sophistication, as it was built in the Renaissance style. You will certainly be amazed by the 30-meter bell tower, 19 stained glass windows and the chandelier from the Throne Room of the Prince's Palace, which illuminates the church inside. All this gives the church interior luxury and chic.

Attractions for amateurs

There is probably no person on earth who hasMonaco would not be associated with Monte Carlo and its gambling establishments. And for good reason, because the Monte Carlo casino is the oldest establishment in Europe and the most respectable and luxurious. The casino was opened in 1862, but soon burned down almost to the ground. Only one of the gaming halls remained, which was later converted into a lobby. The new casino building was restored by the architect Charles Garnier, who was specially invited from Paris. And so the new casino was ready, and in 1878 it was opened. This building became even more luxurious than the first. The casino has several gaming halls, each of which is intended for a specific game. The halls are decorated with luxurious sculptures, paintings, bronze lamps.

Monaco Attractions: Architecture

While walking around the city, be sure to pay attention to the architecture. It is so diverse and beautiful here that the impressions of what you saw will accompany you long after the trip.

• The Princely Palace

The palace is the residence of the Grimaldi family, the rulingfamilies of the principality. It is located on the top of a cliff that drops steeply to the sea. Earlier, in 1215, a fortress was built on this site. Tour operators include in the excursion program not only a tour of the palace from the outside, but also from the inside. This is truly a journey through time! You will get acquainted with history, starting from the era of the Guelphs and Ghibellines and up to the reign of Bonaparte. An amazing walk through the most amazing rooms of the palace awaits you: the Italian Gallery, the Louis XV salon, the Mazarin salon in the Moorish style, the Blue Salon, the Throne Room, the Palatine Chapel, the Tower of Saint Mary.

• Palace Square

The square in front of the palace is no less striking.It is surrounded by a battery of cannons that were cast during the reign of Louis XIV. Be sure to visit the observation deck: you will have a stunning view of Monte Carlo, the Port, Fontvieille. And if you come here at 11.55 in the morning, you will see the spectacular ceremony of changing the guard in front of the main entrance to the palace. This ritual has not changed for more than a century.

• Opera Monte-Carlo

The opera, like the Monte Carlo casino, was builtdesigned by the architect Charles Garnier. He became famous for the opera in Paris, which was built according to his sketches and named in his honor. The Monte Carlo Opera is located in the casino building.

• Fort Antoine

The fort now houses an open-air theatre.sky, designed for 350 people. And at the beginning of the 18th century, Prince Antoine I built it as a fortress on the north-eastern tip of the Rock of Monaco. In 1944, the fort was destroyed, but in 1953 it was restored again. And since then, tourists have been flocking here to see the theater, because there is something to see! The theater is made in a military style. Some of the surviving walls of the fort, a pyramid of cannonballs on the stage, an observation tower - all this gives the theater a special charm and unusualness.

• Market

The market is located on Place d'Armes andhas existed since 1880. Today it is a modern building and rather a huge shopping mall with elevators, parking and escalators than a market in its classic sense. In addition, it is incredibly beautiful: the shopping halls are decorated with hanging gardens, fountains, attractive counters. Next to the market is the pedestrian shopping street Princess Caroline.

• St Louis II Stadium

In the Fontvieille area, in 1985, aa huge sports complex, which was intended to host competitions at the highest level in various sports. The complex includes a famous stadium. It is designed for 20 thousand people. It is notable for the fact that it is here that the UEFA Super Cup in football is played.

• Palace of Justice

The construction of the Palace began back in1924 by order of Prince Louis II. The Palace opened 6 years later, in 1930. The building is made of grey porous stone with inclusions of shells and small pebbles, also called sea tuff. A bust of Prince Honore II was installed on the facade of the building.

• The Road of Sculptures

There are many works in the Principality of Monacoworld-famous sculptors. Works flocked here from all over the world, thanks to the Prince of Monaco. As a result, about a hundred sculptures made by modern masters are exhibited in Monaco. Most of the sculptures are located in the Fontvieille district. Be sure to organize a walking tour of the district, during which you will be able to admire this beauty.

Comments

comments