Monaco Cathedral
Cathedral of Monaco – the main cathedral of the Principality of Monaco was built of white stone, brought from La Turbi. The cathedral stands on the site of an older church of the XIII century. The princes of Monaco, their wives and daughters are buried in the Cathedral. The interior of the Cathedral used paintings by the famous painter Louis Brea. Services are held on religious holidays and on National Day. During concerts of religious music and festive services, an organ established in 1976 sounds
The first stone of the Cathedral was laid on January 6, 1875 during the reign of Charles III. Its grand opening took place in 1884. Three years later, the principality, depending on the religious hierarchy from the episcopate of Nice, was turned into a diocese directly connected with Rome. By virtue of the convention of July 30, 1981, between the papal throne and the principality, the episcopal center of Monaco was elevated to the archbishopric level.
Along with the Clock Tower of the Prince’s Palace, the Cathedral is built of white stone, brought from La Turbi, and bears the name of the Immaculate Conception. It consists of three naves and a gallery surrounding church choirs, where the burial place of the deceased princes is located.
The supports are made of granite and multi-colored porphyry, and the main altar is made of Carrara marble. There is also a beautiful altar decoration and Mourning of Christ by the Mother of God, the works of Louis Brea, an artist from Nice, two paintings of the 16th century, a precessional canopy with the coat of arms of Prince Antoine I (1661-1731), an altar from a gold-plated tree of the Spanish Renaissance, a mosaic under the dome and the stained-glass windows are mostly made in the style of the 12th century.
