Monaco is a small country rich in attractions and adventures. Gloss, luxury, wealth, passion, impressions, emotions - these are a few words that can describe the country. In order to feel Monaco, you need to visit the iconic (partly hot) places, the list of which SMAPSE experts have compiled for you. By the way, the country is only 3 kilometers long, so it's easy to get around it on foot!
Princely palace
Of course, you need to start your journey from the Prince's Palace. By the form of government, Monaco is a monarchy, which leaves a special mark on the way of life in the country. The residence palace was founded in 1191. According to legend, Francesco Grimaldi - the leader of the Guelphs - dressed in a monastic robe, made his way into the ancient Genoese fortress and captured it, and built a palace on the ruins - the future royal residence. Inside the palace there are:
- Furniture and frescoes of the 17th - 18th centuries
- Throne room
- Antique brocade decoration
- The golden reception room of Louis XV.
Every day at 11:55 am, the royal guard is changed near the palace.
Oceanographic Museum
If you are traveling with children, there are not many places in Monaco that will impress them. One of them is the Oceanographic Museum, which has been operating since 1919. Its features:
- 6000 species of fish, turtles, plants, animals
- Total area - 6500 sq.m.
- A real coral reef has been growing here since 1989
- In addition to living creatures, here you can get acquainted with an exposition reflecting the history of oceanography.
Casino Monte Carlo
The casino is one of the main symbols of the principality. Both the building itself and its decoration attract attention; gallery of the most expensive cars in the world in front of the casino entrance and a flag waving in the wind. The casino is not the only purpose of the building: the Bolshoi Theater and the Alley of Light shopping center are also located here. By the way, visitors under the age of 18 are not allowed to enter the casino, so visiting the theater and shopping center is the only chance to see the buildings of the Monte Carlo casino from the inside. The casino building and the Paris Opera house are the work of one architect. Films such as "Ocean's 12", "Golden Eye", "Never Say Never" were filmed here.
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin in Monaco
In the capital of the country, the city of the same name of Monaco, there is a cathedral. The temple was built on the ruins of a church in honor of Nicholas, Archbishop of Mirliki, built in the 13th century. The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin is decorated with white marble, which makes it a neo-Romanesque style. Of the interesting things here are the tombs of monarchs, the triptych of the Holy Virgin, every Sunday performances by little choristers.
Exotic Garden of Monaco
In 1933, it was decided to open an exotic garden, which will become a repository:
- Plants of year-round flowering
- Various types of cacti and agave from South Africa, Mexico, South America, USA, Arabian Peninsula.
A visit to the Exotic Garden is hard to imagine without a limestone cave: you can explore it in the company of an experienced speleologist and admire real stalactites and stalagmites. You need to end your visit to the garden and the cave with the Anthropological Museum, where finds from the excavations of the cave are collected.
New National Museum of Monaco
Two villas - Sober and Paloma - located in the city center and of great architectural value, have been converted into museums, where exhibitions and events reflecting the heritage of the principality are held. The main pearl of the museum is the exposition of clockwork dolls of the 17th - 19th centuries, made of porcelain and wood. Every day, museum workers make dolls, after which they come to life: they drink tea, read, play musical instruments, sigh.
Larvotto beach
The beach located in the city center attracts with its delicate sand and clear water. This place is attractive because it can coexist with ordinary tourists and rich people, sparkling with diamonds. There are hotels and many cafes on the coastline for every taste and budget.
Vintage car museum
The idea of creating an institution belongs to Prince Renault III, a great car lover. For 30 years of his reign, he has collected an impressive collection of vintage cars, which formed the basis of the museum. Among the exhibits:
- De-Dion-Bouton 1903
- Crews of the princely family
- The taxi that Princess Grace rode is a favorite of the country's residents
- Military vehicles
- Retro models "Citroen", "Peugeot", "Lincoln", "Packard" and others.
Princess Grace's Rosary
Princess Grace, who died in a car accident, will forever remain in the hearts of the inhabitants. She is compared to a beautiful rose, therefore, when the idea came to perpetuate her memory, the townspeople did not think for a long time: it would be a rose garden. The front garden first opened its gates to visitors in 1984. The rose garden has the shape of a large, but unopened rose with 9 petals and contains 14 thousand plants of 150 varieties.
Port Hercule
In 1926, Prince Amber I decided to build a port. The location was not chosen by chance: it is from this coast, located in the center of the island, equally close to all the main attractions of the country. The port can simultaneously accommodate up to 700 "guests", including the water transport of the princely family, millionaires and local wealthy. You should definitely wander here - where else can you plunge into the atmosphere of luxury and wealth, the symbol of which is the yacht?
Monaco is a must-see country for everyone who loves paradoxes. The small size of the principality is touching, and its wealth is delightful. Control yourself, do not be fascinated by beauty at once - give yourself the opportunity to stretch the pleasure!
