The Grimaldi family has ruled the Principality of Monaco for over 700 years . Built in 1215 on top of a high hill ( more than 60 metres high ) the Princely Rock , the Princely Palace proudly presents its many treasures . Just to name some of them , they include :

– the Main Courtyard ( Cour d ’ Honneur ), a place where traditionally summer concerts of the Monaco Symphonic Orchestra have taken place since 1960 . And it ’ s the venue of some uniquely special occasions such as the celebration of the Fête National . It also served as the setting for the religious wedding of Prince Albert and Princess Charlène of Monaco . And in 2015 three hundred guests of the Princess Grace Foundation convened there . The Palace had never organized a dinner in the Cour d ’ Honneur before . And Prince Albert II presented the Rainier-III Prize to Robert Redford .

– the double staircase ( made of Carrara marble and inspired by the famous staircase of Fontainebleau Castle ) leading to the open Hercule Gallery decorated with frescoes and the State Apartments and The Princely Palace ceremonial chambers . All rival each other in magnificence and luxury , and are a fascinating time journey , from the Renaissance to the Napoleonic era . Do not miss the tour of the remarkable frescoes and treasures that lie within .

For many centuries , at 11.55 a . m . the Palace Square has been witnessing its unique and unfailing ceremony of the changing of the guard . Enjoy watching the perfect coordination of the Palace Guards who have served His Serene Highness for more than 200 years .

The Palace Tour of its Remarkable Treasures , Frescoes and Grandeur

Imagine the metamorphosis of the Principality ’ s palace over 700 years as each Lord and Prince made his exceptional personal mark on it . All the more remarkable how it has come through sieges and revolutions to shine after its current restoration commissioned by Prince Alber t II . And now after the last seven years of painstaking and meticulous devotion to detail the restorers can take a bow and watch the Palace display itself to the public in all its glory . The “ Grands Appartments ” are sure to be one of the most popular visited attractions in Monaco .

The outstanding Oceanographic Museum viewed from the sea Океанографический музей , вид с моря

Audio guides allow guests to enjoy their visit in 11 languages . There is also an app where videos show how the rooms would appear in use . In the Throne Room , note the royal chair where Princes have been seated since the time of Charles III . Featured also is a decoration of Ulysses in Nekuia where he speaks to ghosts on his visit to the underworld . Intriguing also are the signs of the Zodiac .

The tour ends in the Galérie des Princes where busts of past sovereigns line the walls , including a compelling piece by contemporary artist Barry X Ball of Prince Albert II . The gold head has been noted to be made up of marine plant species that evidence the Sovereign ’ s commitment to the oceans .

The Prince ’ s carabiniers dressed in winter uniform Карабинеры принца Монако в зимней униформе

OCEANOGRAPHIC MUSEUM OF MONACO

Prince Albert I was first and foremost a marine scientist . He led 28 scientific campaigns , dedicating a large part of his life to studying the oceans . This visionary Prince first explored the Mediterranean , visited the Azores , then embarked on an Arctic adventure to Spitsbergen . The result of a little boy ’ s fascination with the sea is one of the world ’ s and Monaco ’ s most iconic museums dedicated to defending marine environments globally and sustaining them for future generations .

The absolutely incredible Baroque style Oceanographic Monaco museum is situated on a cliff right in front of the Mediterranean Sea which provides it an absolutely stunning view over the azure blue waters . It houses a collection of sea fauna species which are unique to the world . In its enormous tanks and lagoons , in its marine ecosystems and especially in its coral reefs live species like starfish , seahorses , turtles , jellyfish , sharks , lobsters , rays , sea cucumbers , and much more .

What ’ s also impressive is that whereas the Museum Aquarium is one of the most legendary in the world , it has a futuristic , state of the art outlook where families play high-tech interactive games , make scientific journeys and dive to the ocean floor in virtual reality and speak to “ hologram style ” princely explorers — an environment where Jules Verne , entertainment , education and high-tech wizardry all comfortably meld to your enjoyment .

There are plenty of special activities including an Immersion Exhibition with 250m ² of interactivity , 650m ² of projection , 60 species to discover , and 40 vid-

96 / Hello Monaco Winter 2022 – 2023 www . hellomonaco . com

Hello Monaco #16 Winter 2022–2023 HM 2022 #16_web | Page 98

The Grimaldi family has ruled the Principality of Monaco for over 700 years . Built in 1215 on top of a high hill ( more than 60 metres high ) the Princely Rock , the Princely Palace proudly presents its many treasures . Just to name some of them , they include :