Culture in Monaco through the ages

From antiquity to the capture of the Palace in 1297?

Whilst the region of Monaco appears to have been inhabited by humans since time immemorial, the Rock only truly entered the annals of history with the arrival of the Genoese towards the end of the 12^th 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 defines the Prince's Palace as we know it today.

It was in 1297 that the history of the Grimaldi family became intertwined with that of their residence. This period saw Genoa embroiled in internal strife between the Guelphs and the Ghibellines. On the night of 8 January, the Guelph François Grimaldi, known as ‘Malizia’, disguised himself as a monk and used this ruse to seize the fortress. It is, in fact, since this feat of arms that the Grimaldi coat of arms has been flanked by two monks brandishing a sword, and the statue erected in the Palace Square commemorates this founding episode. The fortress was lost on several occasions and was not definitively reclaimed by the Grimaldis until some thirty years later. Charles I Grimaldi, who came to power in 1341, is thus regarded as the first Lord of Monaco.

6 Monegasque traditions

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

Saint Devota

Among these is the feast of Saint Devota, celebrated every 27 January. This young saint was martyred around the year 304 in Corsica. Her body, placed on a boat by fishermen on the ‘Isle of Beauty’, is said to have washed ashore on 27 January on the coast of Monaco.

Honoured by the Monegasques since time immemorial, her veneration – linked to Monaco and its Princes – is officially observed in every church in the Principality. She is the guardian spirit of Monegasque identity and every year, the feast of Saint Dévote is celebrated with great fervour, culminating in the burning of a symbolic boat in memory of the saint by the Sovereign Prince and the Princely Family.

National Day

Every year, the Principality celebrates its National Day on 19 November, the Prince’s name day. Established by Prince Charles III in 1857, National Day coincided with the Sovereign Prince’s name day. Upon his accession to the throne in 2005, Prince Albert II decided to retain the date of 19 November in memory of his father.

With medal presentations, shows, the handing out of gifts to the elderly, fireworks… the National Day gives rise to numerous celebrations and ceremonies. It is also an opportunity for Monegasques and residents of the Principality to show their loyalty to the Prince and his Family, and 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, St John’s Day is a festival celebrating light. Around the longest day of the year, bonfires are lit to prolong the sun’s radiance into the dead of night. In Monaco, this festival takes place over two days and across two neighbourhoods: on 23 June in Monaco-Ville and on 24 June in the Moulins neighbourhood.

U pan de Natale

U pan de Natale is a very ancient Monegasque tradition, involving bread made from grain harvested in the countryside and flour from local mills. On top of this round loaf, four to seven small walnuts were arranged to form a Latin cross, along with an olive branch, a symbol 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 by reciting 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” – which in English means: “May this small olive branch, with God’s help, drive away evil and bring good”.

U sciaratu

Have you ever been to a Carnival parade… in the summer? The tradition of the Monegasque Carnival, known as ‘sciaratu’ – meaning ‘racket’ or ‘commotion’ in Monegasque – has evolved over the centuries. In the past, the streets of the Rock were filled with people in fancy dress during the Carnival period. The youngest revellers would set alight a straw and rag effigy, known as a ‘payassu’, which was hung and burnt on a terrace of the Palace.

After several changes, the success of this event prompted the organisers to move the parade to the summer so that residents and tourists could take part in greater numbers. It remains a popular festival enjoyed by everyone in the heart of the narrow streets of Monaco-Ville!

The Palladienne

Whilst there is such a thing as Palladian architecture – a style heavily influenced by the temples of the ancient Greeks and Romans – there is a dance in Monaco that has stood the test of time: the Palladienne. This name refers both to the dance form and to the folk ensemble, comprising musicians (playing mandolins, guitars, etc.) who often perform works by Monegasque composers, as well as dancers dressed in red and white traditional costumes. There’s a Palladienne performance at almost every local event!

Three remarkable women who have shaped Monaco’s history

Many women have left their mark on the Principality’s history, across a range of fields from sport to science and the arts. Here we focus on three exceptional women who, each in their own way, have shaped Monaco through their actions and influence.

Marie Blanc

In April 1863, Prince Charles III signed the Sovereign Ordinance granting François Blanc a 50-year concession for gaming: this marked the creation of the Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer and the launch of the Casino de Monte-Carlo. His wife, Marie Blanc, aged just 30, went on to play a major role in the Principality’s cultural development. The lavish decoration of the Hôtel de Paris, the financing of the famous cellars at the Palace from her own funds, the creation of the first Café de Paris, and the design of the Opera House… Marie Blanc left a fabulous cultural legacy and left an indelible mark on Monaco. 

Josephine Baker

Singer, actress, revue star, member of the Resistance… Josephine Baker, an icon of music hall and the Roaring Twenties, had many loves… her country, Paris, and the Principality of Monaco. This great champion of women’s rights and advocate for minorities was officially inducted into the Panthéon in Paris in November 2021, and has been laid to rest in Monaco’s cemetery since 1975. From the mid-1960s to the mid-1970s, the then global star was invited by Princess Grace to perform very regularly in the Principality. As she brought yet another show to a close at the Sporting Monte-Carlo, where Joséphine Baker triumphed, she declared: “It is at the Sporting Monte-Carlo in summer that I come closest to perfection.”

Coco Chanel

“I don’t make fashion. I am fashion.” The designer and global icon approached Serge Diaghilev, then director of the Ballets Russes, so that he might produce the ballet *The Rite of Spring*. Coco Chanel thus began to visit Monaco more and more frequently and fell under the spell of the Principality. From Cocteau to Dalí, she moved in artistic circles there and inspired the Monegasque cultural scene. Starting with *Le Train Bleu*, a ballet staged by Nijinska, for which she designed the costumes. A first! Building on this, Coco Chanel launched the seasonal summer fashion trend that would inspire the creation and development of the Monte-Carlo Beach in 1928. This marked the beginning of a long-standing relationship between the brand and the destination, both of which share many common values, including refinement, freedom and the idea of a tradition rooted in modernity. This convergence led to the creation of a cruise fashion show organised by Chanel at the Monte-Carlo Beach a few years ago, with the Principality occupying a prominent place at the heart of the French fashion house’s iconic inspirations.