circuits: destination monaco

MONACO

History:

The region of Monaco was inhabited by man since the end of the Paleolithic age, some 300 000 years B.C.. The region of the Ligures was established around year 2000 B.C.. The oldest existing references to Monaco are found in the writings of Hecatee de Milet in his Periegese, Monoios Polis Ligustike (Monaco, Ligurian city).

From the time of the Diocletian persecutions, a young Corsican Christian named Devote, was executed by order of governor Barbarus.  Devote's body was placed at the bottom of a boat destined for Africa. However, contrary winds brought the boat drifting back to Monaco's shores, to the river outlet of the small valley Gaumates. At this site, a church was erected in dedication to Saint Devote who became Patron Saint of the Principality.

Founded in 1215 as a colony of Genoa, Monaco has been ruled by the House of Grimaldi since 1297, when François Grimaldi, known as "Malizia" seized Monaco's fortress in response to the exile imposed upon the Guelfs. For seven centuries the Grimaldi family has presided over the Principality of Monaco, the only exception to this was from 1789 to 1814, when Monaco was under French control. Designated as a protectorate of Sardinia from 1815 until 1860 by the Congress of Vienna, Monaco's sovereignty was recognised by the Franco-Monegasque Treaty of 1861.  The Principality has only one commune, Monaco, whose limits are the same as those of the state.

Economic development was spurred in the late 19th century with a railroad linkup to France and the opening of a casino. Since then, the principality's mild climate, splendid scenery, and gambling facilities have made Monaco world famous as a tourist and recreation centre. 

Significant Dates in the history of the Principality:

  • 1297 : Francois Grimaldi and his Guelph partisans seize the fortress of Monaco
  • 1346 : Charles Grimaldi acquires Lordship over Menton
  • 1355 : Charles Grimaldi acquires Lordship over Roquebrune
  • 1489 : King of France, Charles VIII recognizes the independence of Monaco
  • 1512 : Monaco's independence is confirmed by king Louis XII
  • 1515 : King Francois I recognizes the independence of Monaco
  • 1524 : Augustin I places Monaco under the protectorate of Spain
  • 1614 : Honore II takes the title of Prince of Monaco
  • 1641 : End of Spanish protectorate. Honore II signs the Treaty of Peronne with Louis XII, which assures the Principality of "France's protective friendship". In compensation for the loss of the advantages consented to by the Spanish, the Prince of Monaco receives fiefs in France. During his reign, Prince Honore II engages in the restoration and decoration of the palace.
  • 1662 : Prince Honore II dies ; his grandson Prince Louis I succeeds to the throne
  • 1698 : Louis XIV assigns Louis I the Ambassadorship to the Holy See
  • 1701 : Louis I dies ; is succeeded by his son Antoine I, married to Marie de Lorraine who is related to the throne of France. During his reign, the Principality is endowed with new fortifications.
  • 1731 : Antoine I dies leaving no male heir to the throne. His daughter, Louise-Hippolyte succeeds him, but dies barely a few months later. Her husband, Jacques de Goyon, Sire of Matignon, becomes Prince of Monaco
  • 1733 : Jacques I abdicates from the throne leaving it to his son, Prince Honore III who is 13 years of age
  • 1793 : The Principality is absorbed into French territory under the name of Fort Hercules and becomes the major Canton of the Alpes-Maritime, then turns to being a simple commune.
  • 1795 : Prince Honore III dies in Paris
  • 1814 : The Grimaldi's of Monaco re-established their Sovereign powers and rights (renewed enforcement of the Treaty of Peronne)
  • 1815 : The Treaty of Paris (20 November 1815) places the Principality under the protectorate of the king of Sardegnia.
  • 1817 : The Treaty of Stupiniggi (8 November 1817) places Monaco under the protection of Sardegnia
  • 1841 : Honore V dies; his bother Florestan I becomes Prince of Monaco
  • 1848 : Revolution in Menton and Roquebrune, proclaim themselves free cities
  • 1856 : Florestan I dies; his son Charles III succeeds him
  • 1860 : With the Treaty of Turin, King Victor-Emmanuel II of Italy cedes the Savoie and the county of Nice to Napoleon III
  • 1861 : Charles III cedes his rights over Menton and Roquebrune to France by signing a treaty guaranteeing the independence of Monaco
  • 1863 : Foundation of the Societe des Bains de Mer operating the Casino and several hotels in the 'Spelugues' sector of Monaco
  • 1866 : The sector known as the 'Spelugues' changes its identity to Monte-Carlo
  • 1889 : Prince Charles III dies; accession to the throne of his son Prince Albert I whose discoveries in oceanography and paleontology earn him high recognition in the scientific field worldwide.
  • 1911 : Prince Albert I promulgates the first Constitution
  • 1922 : Prince Albert I dies, he is succeeded by his son Prince Louis II, French army General
  • 1949 : Prince Louis II dies ; succeeded by his grandson HSH Prince Rainier III (born in 1923)
  • 1951 : Signature of the Franco-Monegasque Convention of good neighbor policy and reciprocal administrative support
  • 1956 : Prince Rainier III marries Miss Grace-Patricia Kelly
  • 1957 : Birth of HSH Princess Caroline
  • 1958 : Birth of HSH Hereditary Prince Albert
  • 1962 : Promulgation of the new Constitution
  • 1963 : (May 18) New conventions are signed in Paris. The founding texts which constitute the agreements between France and the Principality are the treaties of February 2, 1861; July 17, 1918; the conventions of April 14, 1945 and the agreements of May 18, 1963
  • 1965 : Birth of HSH Princess Stephanie
  • 1966 : Monte-Carlo's Centennial. The State becomes the major shareholder of the Societe des Bains de Mer. A significant incident impacting the activity of its enterprises and employment
  • 1974 : 25th anniversary of the reign of HSH Prince Rainier III
  • 1981 : HSH Hereditary Prince Albert places the cornerstone of the Fontvieille construction
  • 1982 : Princess Grace dies
  • 1989 : 40th anniversary of HSH Prince Rainier III's reign
  • 1993 : Monaco becomes member of the United Nations (May 28) 

 

 

Top of Page | Destination Menu | Circuit Page