Roses in memory of a beloved
On January 27, 304, a ship was thrown onto a rocky seashore, on it was the body of the young Christian martyr Devot – as the legend says. A white dove led the ship to the shores of Monaco; it was found by local fishermen. A chapel was built on this place, so Holy Devot became the patroness of Monaco. A solemn ceremony is held every year in January: representatives of the princely family burn a fishing vessel and release a white dove in memory of the patron saint.
One of the brightest pages in the history of the principality is a beautiful love story. In 1956, Hollywood actress Grace Kelly married the representative of the ancient princely family of Grimaldi, Prince of Monaco Rainier III. After the wedding, the movie star took the name of Grazia Patricia. This event has played a large role in the growth of Monaco’s popularity around the world.The grown children of the princely couple brought a lot of grief to their parents, the scandal followed the scandal. The eldest daughter Caroline was reproached for the fact that she often changed fans. When the youngest daughter Stephanie grew up, a restless press tracked her every move. The columns of the secular chronicle were full of messages about the numerous love affairs of Albert’s son. Despite romance with the most brilliant women, he categorically refused to marry, preferring to remain a bachelor. Such a bachelor lifestyle of Albert has repeatedly been the cause of clashes between father and son.
In 1982, the wife of Prince Grace tragically died in a car accident. This loss was a difficult test for Rainier. In memory of his beloved wife, he smashed a magnificent rose garden in the Monaco landscape park, which has more than 3,000 rose bushes. The landscape park is a quiet green corner among the tall buildings surrounding it on all sides, where ducks and swans swim in a freshwater pond. The park is located in the Fontvieille quarter, you can get there through a tunnel punched into the rock.
After the death of Rainier III in 2005, Albert inherited his title and princely throne. His reign began with a scandal. Air France’s black stewardess claims to be the mother of the prince’s illegitimate child. However, Albert acted very nobly – he recognized his paternity. Despite this, Albert is still a bachelor.
The Principality as a magnet attracts the richest people on the planet. In the narrow streets of Monaco, getting stuck in traffic from luxury exclusive cars is a common thing. On the outdoor terraces of cafes, you can often see people whose names occupy the first lines in Forbes ratings. In the quiet port moored, as if competing in luxury, the snow-white beautiful yachts of the Russian oligarchs.
Japanese Garden in Monaco Paradox: the most luxurious Monaco hotels do not have their own beaches. This fact does not bother guests at all. They prefer to go to the nearest beach by helicopter – this is a popular form of transport in the principality. By the way, the beaches in Monaco are paid.
The famous casino is a symbol of Monte Carlo. Its building was built in 1878 according to the project of the French architect Charles Garnier, he is known as the creator of the famous Parisian Grand Opera. Thanks to the casino, Monaco managed to maintain its sovereignty and independence from France. By the way, in France itself, gambling is prohibited. Chic cars are parked in the square in front of the building. Among the visitors are kings and princes, oil tycoons and legends of world cinema. Gambling business brings fabulous profits. The city owes its prosperity to a casino.
Visitors to the casino will be sure to tell the story of how the Prince of Nepal spent five days and nights in the casino, not for a moment distracting from the game. Only five days a year, according to Buddhist customs, gambling is allowed, which the prince decided to use when he arrived in Monaco. After this period he returned to Nepal.
For travelers with a very modest annual income, there is also something to do in Monaco. In a small area of 1.95 square meters. km there are many interesting tourist sites. The daily changing of the guard at the princely palace is a favorite tourist attraction. Worth a visit to the National Museum, Oceanographic Museum, Exotic Garden, Napoleon Museum.
