Monaco's cultural history

From Antiquto the capture of the Palace in 1297?

Although the region around Monaco has apparently always been frequented by man, the Rock only really entered the history books when the Genoese established themselves towards the end of the twelfth century. The territory then became the property of the Republic of Genoa in Italy, which decided in 1215 to lay the foundation stone of a fortress, the perimeter of which still forms the boundaries of the princely palace we know today.

It was in 1297 that the history of the Grimaldis joined that of their residence. During this period, Genoa was embroiled in internal struggles between Guelphs and Ghibellines. On the night of 8 January, the Guelph François Grimaldi, known as "Malizia", disguised himself as a monk and used trickery to take over the fortress. It is from this feat of arms that the Grimaldi coat of arms is flanked by two monks brandishing a sword, and the statue in the Place du Palais recalls this founding episode. The fortress was lost several times and was not finally recovered by the Grimaldis until some thirty years later. Charles I Grimaldi, who came to power in 1341, is thus considered the first Lord of Monaco.

6 Monegasque traditions

The fruit of a long history, the Principality abounds in historical traditions that have endured down the centuries.

Sainte Dévote

These include the feast of Sainte Dévote, celebrated every 27 January. This young saint was martyred around 304 AD in Corsica. Her body was deposited on a boat by fishermen on the Isle of Beauty and washed up on the shores of Monaco on 27 January.

Celebrated by Monegasques since time immemorial, his cult, linked to Monaco and its Princes, is officially present in every church in the Principality. She is the protective soul of the Monegasque identity, and every year the feast of Saint Devote is celebrated with fervour, culminating in a symbolic boat set ablaze in memory of the deceased by the Sovereign Prince and the Princely Family.

Bank holidays

Every year, the Principality celebrates its bank holidays on 19 November, Prince's Day. Established by Prince Charles III in 1857, the bank holidays corresponded to the date of the Sovereign Prince's birthday. On his accession to the throne in 2005, Prince Albert II decided to keep the date of 19 November in memory of his father.

Medal awards, shows, presents for the elderly, fireworks displays... the bank holidays is the occasion for many festivities and ceremonies. It is also an opportunity for Monegasques and residents of the Principality to show their attachment to the Prince and his Family, and also to decorate balconies and terraces with flags in the colours of Monaco, so that for a few days, the country is decked out in red and white!

St John's Day

According to a widespread tradition, Saint John's Day is the festival celebrating light. On the longest day of the year, bonfires are lit to prolong the sun's glow into the night. In Monaco, this festival is spread over two days and two districts: 23 June in Monaco-Ville and 24 June in the Moulins district.

U pan de Natale

U pan de Nataleis a very old Monegasque tradition, the bread for which was harvested in the Monegasque countryside and the flour from which came from local mills. Four to seven small walnuts were placed on top of this ball of bread to form a Latin cross, along with an olive branch as a token of peace.

On Christmas Eve, after midnight mass, the pan de Natale was placed on the table so that the oldest or youngest person could bless the bread with a phrase in the Monegasque language: "Che dame chela ram'auriva e l'agiütu de Diu, u mà se ne vaghe e u ben arrive" or in French: "Qu'avec ce petit ram'auriva et l'agiütu de Diu, u mà se ne vaghe e u ben arrive" or "With this little olive branch and God's help, may evil depart and good come".

U sciaratu

Have you ever been to a Carnival parade... in summer? The tradition of Monegasque carnival, known as sciaratu from the Monegasque word for "uproar", has evolved over the centuries. In the old days, the streets of the Rock were filled with people dressed up in costumes during Carnival. The youngest would blow up a dummy made of straw and rags, u payassu, which was hanged and burnt on a terrace in the Palais.

After several changes, the success of this event prompted the organisers to move the corso to the summer so that more residents and tourists could take part. Today, it is still a popular festival enjoyed by all in the heart of the narrow streets of Monaco-Ville!

Palladian architecture

If there is such a thing as Palladian architecture - a style strongly based on the temples of the ancient Greeks and Romans - there is one dance in Monaco that has stood the test of time: the Palladian. The Palladienne is both the name of the discipline and the name of the folk group made up of instrumentalists (mandolins, guitars, etc.) who often cover works by Monegasque composers, and dancers dressed in red and white in traditional costume. Almost every local event has its own Palladian representation!

3 great women who have left their mark on Monaco's history

Many women have left their mark on the history of the Principality, in many fields, from sport to science to the arts. Focus on three exceptional women who, in their own way, have left their mark on Monaco through their actions and influence.

Marie Blanc

In April 1863, Prince Charles III signed the Sovereign Order granting the gaming concession for 50 years to François Blanc: this marked the creation of Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer and the launch of the Casino de Monte-Carlo. His wife Marie Blanc, aged just 30, was to play a major role in the Principality's cultural influence. She lavishly decorated the Hôtel de Paris, financed the famous Palace cellars with her own funds, created the first Café de Paris and designed the Opera House. Marie Blanc left a fabulous cultural legacy and left an indelible mark on Monaco. Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer recently paid tribute to her on the occasion of International Women's Rights Day 2022 to highlight "the woman without whom the Société des Bains de Mer would probably not exist today".

Josephine Baker

Singer, actress, showgirl, resistance fighter... Josephine Baker, icon of the music-hall and the Roaring Twenties, had many loves... her country, Paris, as well as the Principality of Monaco. This grande dame of women's causes and minority activist was officially inducted into the Panthéon in Paris in November 2021, and has been buried in the Monaco cemetery since 1975. From the mid-60s to the mid-70s, the then world-famous singer was invited to perform regularly in the Principality by Princess Grace. At the end of yet another show at the Monte-Carlo Sporting Club, where Joséphine Baker was triumphant, she declared: "It's at the Monte-Carlo Summer Sporting Club that I approach perfection".

Coco Chanel

"I don't make fashion. I am fashion". The designer and world icon approaches Serge de Diaghilev, then director of the Ballets Russes, to produce the ballet The Rite of Spring. Coco Chanel visited Monaco more and more frequently and fell under the Principality's spell. From Cocteau to Dali, she frequented the arts world and inspired the Monegasque cultural scene. Starting with Le train bleu, a ballet directed by Nijinska, for which she designed the costumes. It was a first! Following in her footsteps, Coco Chanel launched the seasonal summer fashion which inspired the creation and development of Monte-Carlo Beach in 1928. It was an episode that marked the beginning of a long history between the brand and the destination, both of which shared many common values, including refinement, freedom and the idea of tradition anchored in modernity. It's a combination that has given rise to a cruise show organised by Chanel at Monte-Carlo Beach in May 2022, with the Principality occupying a special place at the heart of the French fashion house's emblematic inspirations.