Hello Monaco #15 Summer–Autumn 2022 | Page 122

DYNASTY
© Museo Preistorico dei Balzi Rossi
Panorama of the Site : Caves of Florestano and Caviglione , Balzi Rossi , Italy
One legacy of those troubled times is Monaco ’ s National Anthem which was created as a loyal rallying cry around the Prince ’ s guard . It was first and foremost a part of the military defence of the Principality and Prince Florestan . It also helped create a sense of loyalty and identity within the civic life of the community . In its original version the patriotic lyrics were sung in French . early Upper Paleolithic in Western Europe . From 1892 , Prince Albert I of Monaco continued to finance the scientific explorations . The largest spot on the east side , the Prince ’ s Cave ( former Roman Bridge ’ s Cave ) entered the property of the Prince ’ s Palace . Those findings , cover a period of 200,000 years .
Later the National Anthem became a proud facet of Monaco ’ s rising prosperity under Florestan ’ s son , Charles III , the Casino and Bains de Mer .
Indeed the Prince of Monaco and his wife , in order to try to save all the Principality ’ s territory , had decided to try to hand over the power to their son Charles early . However , this decision was too late . The uprising was already underway and Prince Florestan was dethroned , arrested and imprisoned , and princely rule was abolished .
On 20 March 1848 , Menton and Roquebrune declared their independence while formally remaining part of Sardinia and Savoy . In 1849 the Sardinian Kingdom issued a decree making these cities part of the district of Nice . Monaco never managed to regain these lands . However , in 1849 Florestan was restored to the throne .
In 1861 the new Prince Charles III and Napoleon III signed a treaty whereby Monaco officially relinquished these towns to France . The Principality thus received a compensation of 4 million francs and lost half of its territory .
Florestan , however , leaves a legacy of his rule over Menton just beyond its borders with his financing of the excavations in the Balzi Rossi caves “ next door ” in the Ventimiglia comune of Liguria , Italy . This remains as one of the most important archaeological sites of the
CAROLINE GIBERT DE LAMETZ
It was Caroline Gibert de Lametz who suggested to her son Charles III the idea of opening a casino .

The reign of Florestan is inseparable from the name of his wife Caroline . Not only did she stand by his side , but she also helped him in taking some fateful decisions .

The future wife of Florestan was born on 18 July 1793 , in Coulommiers , in the family of Charles Thomas Gibert , a lawyer . She spent her childhood in Lametz castle , a property of her mother ’ s third husband who was head of a military school .
In May 1814 Amelie Aumont , the illegitimate daughter of Monaco ’ s Princess Louise and Florestan ’ s younger uterine half-sister , married Caroline ’ s brother , Louis-Pierre Mauroy . That is how Florestan met Caroline . At that time he was 29 years old and she was 21 . Her contemporaries described her as a dark-haired girl with expressive features . She was also intelligent with excellent social skills .
Once Florestan took the throne of Monaco , Caroline helped him rule the country . After her husband ’ s death , it was Caroline who suggested to her son Charles III the idea of opening a casino . This decision was very wise , as gambling later became a major source of income for the Principality for many years . Caroline died at the age of 86 , outliving her husband by 23 years .
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