F1 Holiday part 5: Monaco
What would our F1 holiday serie be without Monaco in it? F1technical takes you to the Principality that is host for the most loved F1 Grand Prix. Monaco is also the home of moviestars, singers and some of the most successful sportsmen. Some of the F1 drivers also have their appartment there.
History
Monaco has a colorful and fascinating history filled with barbarians, kings and even a movie star. It is a story of castles, epic battles and untold riches.
The Grimaldi ascent began one night in 1297, when Francois Grimaldi seized the fortress of Monaco from a rival Italian faction. Disguised as a monk, he successfully led a small army into the fortress reclaiming it in the name of the Pope. The legacy of his daring victory is recorded on Monaco's coat of arms, which bears two monks brandishing swords.
Over the next few centuries, Monaco prospered as an important port in major maritime trading routes and as a strategic naval base for European military powers that were constantly vying for control of The Rock.
In 1604, Lord Honore II came to the throne and launched Monaco into its "Great Century". Reflecting upon his accomplishments, he deigned himself worthy of a new title, Prince Honore II. Grimaldi rulers have proudly held the title of Prince ever since.
The French revolution took a heavy toll on European royalty, including the Grimaldis. Monaco was annexed by France and members of the Monegasque royal family were imprisoned. The annexation was cut short with the abdication of Napoleon in 1814, however, and all rights of the Grimadis were restored.
In 1861, Monaco relinquished one-half of its territory to France in exchange for cash and independence. On the throne at this time was Prince Charles III. He realized that most of Monaco's natural resources had been lost with the land and something had to be done to reestablish an economic base in the Principality. He decided that the answer was tourism and gambling. In 1863, he established the Societe des Bains de Mer. The company consisted of a handful of hotels, a theater, and a casino, which would soon flourish and become the foundation of the magnificent district of Monte-Carlo.
Prince Rainier III ascended to the throne in 1949 and later caught the world's attention with his storybook marriage to actress Grace Kelly. Today, Monaco still stands as a proud monarchy with their son, H.S.H. Prince Albert II as its head of state. In 1997, the Grimaldi family celebrated the 700th anniversary of its reign in Monaco.
Museums and attractions
* Oceanographic Museum & Aquarium: In the impressive rooms of the Museum, the visitor can enjoy the spectacular delights of the world-famous aquarium with its extraordinary show of marine flora and fauna. With 4,000 species of fish and over 200 families of invertebrates, the aquarium is now an authority on the presentation of the Mediterranean and tropical marine ecosystem.
* Exotic Garden: One of Monaco’s finest tourist attractions, this “magic garden” containing several thousand “succulent” plant varieties, was opened in 1933 and is daringly landscaped on the rock-face. The plants flourish superbly thus testifying to Monaco’s microclimate and are admired by visitors from all over the world.
Strolling along the foot-bridges high above the cliff, with a splendid view over the Principality and eastwards along the coast, the visitor cannot fail to be impressed by the diversity of the forms (in some cases surrealistic!) of the subtropical flora, made up of highly unusual exotic essences.
* Observatory Caves: 200 feet below the exotic gardens themselves, visitors can discover the immense chambers of the prehistoric Observatory Caves, whose stalagmites, stalactites and limestone concretions are admirably illuminated.
* Princess Grace Rose Garden: On a nearby slope to the Fontvieille Park is the Princess Grace Rose Garden, inaugurated on June 18, 1984 by the Sovereign Prince and His family. It is a quiet spot fragrant with the scent of some 4,000 rose trees, more than 150 varieties, some of which are the work of leading European and American specialists.
* Zoological Terraces: Opened in 1954 by H.S.H Prince Rainier III and built on the south face of the Rock of Monaco overlooking the Port of Fontvieille, some 250 animals from fifty different species (exotic birds, black panther, white tiger, hippopotamus, lemurs…) are housed there in exemplary conditions.
* Japanese Garden: This enchanting garden is an authentic work of art that unites stone, water and vegetation in the most marvelous harmony. The pine and olive trees are pruned in the pure tradition of the Land of the Rising Sun.
* Exhibition of H.S.H. The Prince of Monaco's Private Collection of Classic Cars: The visitor will be able to admire some one hundred vintage and veteran motorcars made by some of Europe’s most prestigious firms. From the 1903 De Dion Bouton to the 1986 Lamborghini Countach, as well as the 1929 Bugatti, the Croisière Jaune Citroem Torepdo and the 1952 Rolls Royce, each of these glittering automobiles is perfectly maintained and they tell the story of XX century motoring history.
* Museum of Napoleonic Souvenirs and Collection of the Palace's Historic Archives: Housed in the south wing of the Prince’s Palace, the ground floor of this museum contains a rich collection of more than a thousand objects and documents relating to the First Empire: objects belonging to the Emperor Napoleon I, garments which belonged to the King of Rome, religious souvenirs from Saint Helena, etc.
The first floor is entirely dedicated to the history of the Principality. Exhibits include the Charter of independence of Monaco, signed by King Louis XII of France; a letter written by Louis XIV to Prince Antoine I; the Prince’s Guards’ uniforms.
Official Monégasque medals (Ordre des Grimaldi and Ordre de Saint-Charles) and foreign medals awarded to the Sovereign prince are also exhibited.
* Old Town: The narrow streets of the Old Town, interconnected by vaulted passageways, are lined with centuries-old houses, and the area has retained its medieval character. A visit to this picturesque district includes:
The Chapelle de la Paix (in the gardens near the Place de la Visitation).
The Placette Bosio (rue Comte-Félix-Gastaldi) named after the famous Monégasque sculptor.
The Façade of the Law Courts, in the Italian Gothic Style.
The Place Saint-Nicolas (behind the Law Courts) and its fountain surmounted by a statue.
The Rampe Major, paved with red bricks, runs between two XVIth century gateways, connecting La Condamine and the Place du Palais.
The Saint-Martin Gardens, facing the sea, inspired the poet Guillaume Apollinaire between 1887 and 1889. Today, amid the Aleppo pines, agaves, and aloes, are fountains, a pergola and bronze statues including a 1951 monument of Albert I.
* Place du Palais: Lined with batteries of cannons cast during the reign of Louis XIV, the Place du Palais offers a unique panoramic view overlooking the Port and Monte-Carlo, stretching as far as Bordighera in Italy (to the north-east), Fontvieille and Cap-d’Ail (to the south-west).
Every day at 11:55AM sharp, in front of the Palace’s main entrance, visitors can enjoy the spectacular changing of the guard ceremony performed by the “Carabiniers” in full dress uniform (black in winter, white in summer), a ceremony that has remained unchanged for more than a century.
* Prince’s Palace: The guardian of a centuries-old tradition, this uniquely located Palace was built on the site of a fortress built by the Genoese in 1215. A visit takes one on a journey through history from the time of the Guelfes and the Gibelins to the Napoleonic period.
* Monaco Cathedral: Built in 1875 using white stone from La Turbie, the present-day Cathedral stands on the site of a 13th century church dedicated to Saint Nicolas and houses the tombs of the former Princes of Monaco. It is also the final resting placeof Monaco's much loved Princess Grace. Of particular interest are the retable (circa 1500) to the right of the transept painted by the Louis Bréa from neighboring Nice, the Great Altar and the Episcopal throne in white Carrara marble.
* Aquavision: Boat Trips with Underwater Vision: Discover Monaco from the sea during this 55-minute boat trip that includes a stop to observe the seabed. “Aquavision” is a catamaran-type boat equipped with two windows in the hull for underwater vision, thus allowing the passengers to explore the natural seabed of the coast in an unusual way. The boat can take up to 120 people per journey.
Nightlife and Casino's
* Café de Paris: A trip to Monaco is complete without at least a drink at the café just next to the casino and across the street from the Hôtel de Paris. This is the premiere “see and be seen” spot, whether sitting outside or dining inside. There is a lively mix of locals and visitors in a French brasserie atmosphere. The menu has an international flavor. Daily specials are always recommended. Favorites are steak tartar and fresh oysters in season.
* Monte-Carlo Casino: Charles Garnier, the architect of the opera house in Paris, built the Casino in 1878. The “atrium”, paved in marble, is surrounded by 28 Ionic columns in onyx. It leads into the auditorium of the opera, called the “Salle Garnier”, which is decorated in red and gold, with a profusion of bas-reliefs, frescoes and sculptures. Here, for more than a century, outstanding international performances of opera, ballet and concerts have been staged.
The “gaming rooms” comprise a succession of numerous rooms featuring stained glass windows, admirable decorations and sculptures, allegorical paintings and bronze lamps.
* Sun casino: Near the sea, the Sun Casino is paradise on earth for American games and slot machines. Completely refurbished and decorated with a “Circus” theme, it offers its clients an exceptional environment of elegance coupled with the magic world of the circus ring.
Health and sports
As Monaco has a high standard of life there are also a lot of Spas in the Principality, such as Hotel Mirabeau, Les Thermes Marins de Monte-Carlo, Les Cinq Mondes,...
At Monaco you can practice every sport and the Monacans also love to watch sports. They are extremely proud of their soccer team AS Monaco. But one of the major events every year at Monaco is the Formula One Grand Prix of Monaco.
