Prince's Palace of Monaco

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Illustration 1: The Royal Palace, Monaco.

The Prince's Palace of Monaco was originally founded in 1191 as a Genoese fortress. During its long and often dramatic history it has been bombarded and besieged by many attacking foreign powers. Since the end of the 13th century it has been the stronghold and home of the Grimaldi family who first captured it in 1297. The Grimaldi ruled the area first as Lords, and from the 17th century as sovereign princes, but their power was often derived from fragile agreements with their larger and stronger neighbours.

Thus in times when other sovereigns were building luxurious palaces, the rulers of Monaco could not relax into magnificent Renaissance or Baroque edifices as did their more powerful fellow sovereigns. Politics and common sense demanded that the palace of the rulers of Monaco be fortified. This unique requirement, at a late stage in history, has made the palace at Monaco one of the most unusual palaces in Europe. When finally during the late 18th century its fortifications were relaxed it was seized by the French, stripped of its treasures, and allowed to fall into decline. The Grimaldi were exiled for over twenty years.

The Grimaldi's occupation of their palace is also unusual, because unlike other European Royal families they have through lack of choice and space ruled continuously from the same residence for over 700 years. Thus their fortunes and politics are directly reflected in the evolution of their palace. Whereas the Romanovs, Bourbons, and Habsburgs could and frequently did build completely new palaces, the most the Grimaldi could achieve when enjoying good fortune, or desirous of change, was to build a new tower or wing, or, more frequently, rebuild an existing part of the palace. Thus the princely palace of Monaco precisely reflects the history not only of Monaco, but also of a family which in 1997 celebrated 700 years of rule from the same palace.^[1]

During the 19th and early 20th centuries the palace and its owners became symbols of the louche, slightly risqué, glamour and decadence that was associated with Monte Carlo and the French Riviera. Glamour and theatricality became reality when the American film star Grace Kelly became the palace's chatelaine in 1956. In the 21st century the palace remains the residence of the reigning prince of Monaco.

Illustration 2: The arms of the Prince of Monaco.

[edit] The Princely Palace

Illustration 3: A: Entrance; B, C: State apartments, double loggia, and horse-shoe stairs; D: Future site of chapel; E:Swimming pool, F: All Saints Tower; G: Serravalle; H: South Tower; K: Middle Tower; M: St Mary's Tower.

Illustration 4: The Princely Palace in 1890 shows clearly a blend of classical facades and medieval fortifications. Due to the modern development of Monte Carlo and growth of flora this view of the palace is not possible today.

Monaco's Princely Palace today is a blend of architectural styles, its ancient origins indicated by a complete lack of symmetry. Thus to evaluate the architecture, wings and blocks have to be observed separately, rather than viewed as one composition. The principal facade appears as a terrace of Renaissance style palazzi from differing periods of the Renaissance era (illustration 13), which even though they form only one palace, is exactly what they are. These wings are however united by their common rusticated ground floor. The Renaissance architecture seems to mask the earlier fortifications, the towers of which rise behind the differing classical facades. These towers, many complete with crenelations and machicolations, were actually mostly rebuilt during the 19th century. At the rear of the palace the medieval fortifications look untouched by time (illustration 3). A greater architectural harmony has been achieved within the courtyard around which the palace is built, where two tiers of frescoed open arcades serve as both a ceremonial balcony for Royal appearances and a state entrance and corridor linking the formal state rooms of the palace.

The most notable of the many rooms are the state apartments. These were laid out from the 16th century onwards, and were enhanced in the manner of those at Versailles during the 18th century. In the 19th century and again during the late 20th century, large scale restoration of the state rooms consolidated the 18th century style which prevails today.

Designed as an enfilade and a ceremonial route to the throne room, the processional route begins with an external horseshoe-shaped staircase which leads from the courtyard to the open gallery known as the "Gallery of Hercules". From here guests enter the "Mirror Gallery", a long mirrored hall clearly inspired by the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles.^[2] This gallery leads to the first of the state rooms, the "Officer's Room", where guests are greeted by court officials before being shown into the princely presence and the Throne Room. From the Officer's Hall the enfilade continues to the Blue Room. This large drawing room, decorated with blue brocade, is hung with Grimaldi family portraits and has Murano chandeliers. The following room, the largest of the state apartments, is the throne room. Its ceiling and frescoes were executed by Orazio de Ferrari and depict the surrender of Alexander the Great. The throne, in the Empire style (illustration 20), is positioned on a dais, beneath a red silk awning surmounted by a gilt crown. The floors are of Carrara marble. All state ceremonies have been held in this room since the 16th century.^[3]

Other rooms in the state suite include the Red Room, so called because its walls are covered in red brocade, a large drawing room containing paintings by Jan Breughel and Charles Le Brun. Like much of the palace the room contains ornate 18th-century French-style furniture. From the Red Room leads the York Room. Furnished as a state bedchamber, this room is frescoed with illustrations of the four seasons by Gregorio de Ferrari. The following room, known as the Yellow Room (or sometimes as the Louis XV Bedchamber), is another state bedroom.

The most remarkable room in the suite is the Mazarin Room. This drawing room is lined with fine Italian gilded and painted polychrome boiseries by craftsmen brought to France by Cardinal Mazarin (who was related through marriage to the Grimaldi). The Cardinal's portrait hangs over the fireplace.

While the overriding atmosphere of the interior and exterior of the palace is of the 18th century, the palace itself is not. Much of it is the result of a long evolution dating from the 12th century, overshadowed by heavy restoration and refurnishing during the 19th and 20th centuries.

[edit] The Grimaldi's fortress

Illustration 5: The Rocher de Monaco overlooks the port and the Mediterranean. The Princely Palace is on the Rocher in the foreground. The imposing Palladian building in the background is the Oceanographic Museum, founded by Prince Albert I in 1906. The remains of All Saints Tower (F, see illustration 6) and the serravalle (G) are visible bottom left of the picture.

Monaco has a long history which predates the Roman occupation of 122 AD. The large natural harbour ensured a steady stream of visitors from Byblos, Tyre, and Sidon. Later the Phoenicians came to trade in silk, oil, and spices with the natives. It was the Phoenicians who introduced to this area of the Mediterranean their god Melkart, later known by the Romans as "Hercules Monoikos", and it was after this God that the Romans named the area "Portus Hercules Moneici", which has evolved to the present name of Monaco.^[4]

The seat of the reigning Prince of Monaco was first established on the Rocher de Monaco (illustration 5) as a fortress in 1191 when the harbour, that is today lined by Monte Carlo, was acquired by the Republic of Genoa. The harbour and its immediate area where given to the Genoese by the Emperor Henry IV with the proviso that the Genoese protect the coastline from piracy. Further territory was ceded to the new owners by the Council of Peille and the Abbaye de Saint Pons. Thus in 1215 work began on a fortress which was to form the core of the present palace. The new fortress was of a simple geometric shape, comprising four towers connected by ramparts which were protected by an outer wall.

Genoa was important in the politics of 12th century Europe. The Genoese were a nation of merchants, and such was their wealth that they frequently fulfilled a role as bankers to the other nation states. However, the Genoese became divided following the rift caused when the Emperor Frederick II challenged the power of Pope Innocent IV. Two distinct camps formed: the Guelphs who supported the pope and the Ghibellines who were loyal to the imperial crown. Siding with the Guelphs were one of the patrician families of Genoa - the Grimaldi. Throughout the 13th century these two groups fought. Finally at the end of the century the Ghibellines were victorious and banished their opponents, including the Grimaldi, from Genoa. The Grimaldi settled in the area today known as the French Riviera. Several castles in the area are still known as Chateau Grimaldi, and testify to the strong presence of various branches of the family in the vicinity.

Illustration 6: The statue of Francois Grimaldi outside the Palace commemorates his capture of the fortress disguised a monk in 1279.

Legend has it that in January 1297 François Grimaldi, disguised as a monk, sought shelter at the castle. On obtaining entry he murdered the guard, whereupon his men miraculously appeared and captured the castle.^[5] Thus the fortress became the stronghold of the Grimaldi. This event is commemorated by a statue of François Grimaldi in the precincts of the Palace (illustration 6) and in the coat of arms of the Royal House where François is depicted wielding a sword while in the garb of a monk (illustration 2).

Charles I, who ruled from 1331 to 1357, and was the son of François Grimaldi's cousin Rainier I, significantly enlarged the fortress by adding two large buildings: one against the eastern ramparts and the second looking out over the sea. This changed the appearance of the fortress, making it appear more of a fortified house than a fortress.^[6] The fortifications remained very necessary, for during the next three decades the fortress was alternately lost and regained by the Grimaldi to the Genoese. In 1341 the Grimaldi took Menton and then Roquebrune, thus consolidating their power and strength in the area. Subsequently they strengthened not only the defences of the harbour but also their fortress on the Rocher. The Grimaldi's stronghold was now a power base from which the family ruled a large but very vulnerable area of land.

For the next hundred years the Grimaldi defended their territory from attacks by other states which included Genoa, Pisa, Venice, Naples, France, Spain, Germany, England and Provence. The fortress was frequently bombarded, damaged, and restored. Gradually the Grimaldi began to make an alliance with France which strengthened their position. More secure in their position, the Grimaldi Lords of Monaco now began to recognise the need to not only defend their territory but also to have a home reflecting their power and prestige.

Thus, throughout the 15th century, both the fortress and the Rocher continued to be extended and further defended until it became a garrison accommodating some 400 troops.^[7] The slow transformation from fortified house to Palace (illustration 7) began during this era. Firstly with building by Lamberto Grimaldi, Lord of Monaco (who between 1458 and 1494 was "a noteworthy ruler who handled diplomacy and the sword with equal talent"^[8]) and then his son Jean II. This period saw the extension of the east side of the fortress with a three floored wing, guarded by high scalloped walls connecting the bastion towers - "St Mary" (M in illustration 6), "Middle" (K) and "South" (H). This large new wing contained the Palace's principal room the State Hall (today known as the Guard Room). Here the Princes carried out their official business and held court.^[9] Further more luxurious rooms complete with balconies and loggias were designed for the private use of the Grimaldi family. In 1505 Jean II was killed by his brother Lucien.^[10]

[edit] Fortress to Palace

[edit] Lucien I (ruled 1505 – 1523)

Illustration 7: The palace in the 17th century. North is to the right of the picture. A: Entrance; B, C: State apartments, double loggia, and horse-shoe stairs; D: Future site of chapel; E, F: All Saints Tower; G: Serravalle; H: South Tower; K: Middle Tower; M: St Mary's Tower.

Jean II was succeeded by his brother Lucien I. Peace did not reign in Monaco for long; in December 1506 14,000 Genoese troops besieged Monaco and its castle, and for five months 1,500 Monegasques and mercenaries defended the Rocher before achieving victory in March 1507. This left Lucien I to walk a diplomatic tightrope between France and Spain in order to preserve the fragile independence of the tiny state which was in truth subject to Spain. Lucien immediately set about repairing the ravages of war to the fortified palace which had been damaged by heavy bombardment.^[11] To the main wing (see illistrations 3 & 7 - H to M ), built by Prince Lambert and extended during the reign of Jean II, he now added a large wing (H to C) which today houses the state apartments.

[edit] Honoré I (1523 – 1581)

During the reign of Honoré I the internal transformation from fortress to palace was continued. The Treaty of Trodesillas at the beginning of Honoré's rule clarified Monaco's position as a protectorate of Spain, and thus later of the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. This provided the security to allow the Lord of Monaco to concentrate on the more comfortable side of his residence rather than the constant need to defend it.

The courtyard was rebuilt, the architect Dominique Gallo designing two arcades, stretching between points "H" and "C". The arcades, fronting the earlier wing by Lucien I, each have twelve arches, decorated by white marble balustrading on the upper level. Today the upper arcades are known as the "Gallerie d'Hercule" because their ceilings were painted with scenes depicting the Labours of Hercules by Orazio de Ferrari during the later reign of Honoré II. These arcades or loggias provide corridors to the state rooms in the south wing (today known as "The State Rooms Wings"). On the other side of the courtyard a new wing was constructed and the Genoese artist Luca Cambiasi was charged with painting its external walls with frescoes. It is thought that the galleries (B) to the north wing overlooking the harbour were built at this time.^[12]

Further enlargements were carried out in order to entertain the Emperor Charles V in 1529, when he stayed four nights at the palace during his journey in state to Bologna for his coronation by Pope Clement VII.

Illustration 8: Prince Honoré II became in 1633 the first Prince. He did much to create the palace as it appears today.

Architecturally this was an exiting period, but Honoré II was unable to create a palace in the mode of the great Renaissance palaces of Italy because his palace was vulnerable to attack. In spite of the Spanish protection there was always the risk from France, and therefore all vestiges of military defence could not be totally abandoned. Military strength remained the main purpose of the fortress-palace.^[13] Honoré built for the palace a new system of defence based on two main points: "All Saints Tower" (F) and the "Serravalle Bastion" (G). All Saints Tower was semi-circular and guarded the end of the rock promontory. Complete with gun platforms, it was connected to man-made caves in the rock itself, in which were sited cannons. The tower was connected by subterranean passages to the Serevalle, which was basically a huge gun tower - three floors of vaulted casemates all armed. Underneath the courtyard a cistern was installed, holding what was calculated to be sufficient water for 1000 troops during a 20 month siege. This cistern, itself an architectural feat of engineering, had a huge vaulted ceiling supported by 9 columns.

Such measures of defence were deemed vital to preserve the state, and Monaco remained politically vulnerable for another century. Such was the perilous state of Monaco that the reigns of Prince Charles II and Prince Hercule which spanned the period from 1581 until 1604 saw little building work taking place at the fortress-palace.

[edit] Honore II (1597 - 1662)

Illustration 9:This painting by Joseph Bresson shows the Palace in 1762, viewed from a similar angle as the drawing above. The alterations made by Honoré II are clearly visible, as is the horseshoe staircase of Prince Louis I. The cupola surmounting the new chapel is at the rear of the courtyard.

The vulnerability of Monaco was further brought home to the Monegasques in 1605 when the Spanish built a garrison in the state. In 1633 Honoré II (illustration 8), was officially addressed as "Serene Prince" by the Spanish King. Thus the sovereign status of Monaco was recognized for the first time. As Spain was currently occupying Monaco the title was seen as little more than a gesture to keep Honoré happy.^[14]

Honoré II was a Francophile. Following his education in Milano, he had been cultivated by the intellectual salons of Paris.^[15] Thus, having close affinities with France both culturally and politically, he rebelled against the Spanish presence in Monaco. While he realised that Monaco needed the protection of another power, France was Honoré II's favoured choice. In 1641, heavily supported by the French, he victoriously attacked the Spanish garrison and expelled the Spanish, declaring "the Glorious liberty of Monaco."^[16] The liberty mentioned was entirely dependent on France, as Monaco now entered a period as a protectorate of France which would last until 1814.^[17] As a result of this action Honoré II is today regarded as the hero of Monaco.^[18]

Highly educated and a patron of the arts, Honoré II, secure on his throne, began collecting works by Titian, Dürer, Raphael, Rubens and Michelangelo which formed the basis of the art collection which furnished the Palace slowly evolving from the Monaco fortress. Over the following 30-year period he completely transformed it to a Palace suitable for a sovereign Prince (illustration 9).

He commissioned the architect Jacques Catone to not only enlarge the Palace, but to give the obvious remains of the fortress a face-lift. The effect was to soften the grim fortified appearance. The main facade facing the square, the "front" of the Palace, was given decorative embellishments. The upper loggias (B) to the right of the entrance were glazed. Inside the Palace the "State Rooms Wing" was embellished, and the enfilade of state apartments created. A new chapel adorned by a cupola (built on the site marked D) was dedicated to St John the Baptist. This new work had the aesthetic advantage of concealing from view the forbidding "Serravalle Tower" from the court yard, giving the courtyard the feel of a Renaissance palazzo rather than of a severe bastion.

[edit] Absentee landlords and revolution (1662 – 1815)

Illustration 10: Jean du Cerceau's horseshoe staircase at Fontainebleau was copied for the Palace in Monaco. It was placed in the courtyard in the centre of the wing marked C on the sketch.

Illustration 11: Antoine Grigho's Baroque entrance to the palace was designed for Louis I.

Illustration 12: Princess Louise-Hippolyte of Monaco. The palace she barely knew is clearly visible in the background of this painting dated 1712.

During the late 17th century and early 18th century, while Monaco was officially an independent state, it was in reality a province of France.^[19] Its rulers spent much of their time at the French court, in this way resembling the absentee landlords so prevalent at the time amongst the French aristocracy. The lure of Versailles was greater than their attention for their own country.

Honoré II was succeeded by his grandson Prince Louis I. The new prince had an urbane personality and spent much time with his wife at the French court, where he enjoyed the unusual distinction of being both a foreign head of state and a peer of France. Impressed by the palaces of the French King, who had employed employed the architect Jean du Cerceau to carry out alterations to the Palace at Fontainebleu. Louis I used Fontainebleau as the inspiration for enhancements to the Palace at Monaco. Thus he was responsible for two of the Palace's most notable features: the entrance — a huge Baroque arch surmounted by a broken pediment bearing the Grimaldi Arms (illustration 11) — and more memorable still, the double horseshoe staircase modelled on that at the palace of Fontainebleu (illustration 10).^[20] The thirty steps, which compose the staircase, are said to have been sculpted from the same block of Carrara marble.^[21] Both the architrave of the new entrance and the horseshoe stairs were designed by Antoine Grigho, an architect from Como.^[22]

It was apt that the staircase and entrance, two of the most flamboyant and extravagant features of the palace, should have been added by Prince Louis, as these adjectives could also be applied to the Prince's private life which was as noted for permissiveness as those of his ancestors had been for their skills in war. He was famous for his prodigality, and while visiting England in 1677 he incurred the ire of the English King Charles II by showering expensive gifts on Hortense Mancini, the King's mistress.^[23] The English and Prince Louis later became political enemies when Louis took part in the Anglo-Dutch Wars against England, leading his own Monaco Cavalry into battles in Flanders and Franche Comté. These acts earned Louis the gratitude of Louis XIV who made him ambassador to the Holy See, charged with securing the Spanish Succession. However, the cost of upholding his position at the Papal court caused him to sell most of his grandfather Honoré II's art collection, thus denuding the Monaco Palace which he had earlier so spectacularly enhanced.^[24] Louis died in 1701 before securing the Spanish throne for France; an act which would have earned the Grimaldi huge rewards. Instead Europe was immediately plunged into turmoil as the War of the Spanish Succession began.

Louis I was succeeded by his son Prince Antoine. The new prince inherited a principality impoverished by the extravagances of his father, which forced him to remain in Monaco almost penniless in a Palace empty of many of its former treasures.^[25] However, his penury did not prevent him further embellishing one of the Palace state rooms. The "Royal Room" was given a ceiling painted by Gregorio de Ferrari and Alexandre Haffner which depicted a figure of Fame surrounded by lunettes illustrating the four seasons.

Antoine's marriage to Marie de Lorraine was unhappy and yielded only two daughters.^[26] Monaco's constitution confined the throne to members of the Grimaldi family alone, and Antoine was keen for his daughter Princess Louise-Hippolyte (illustration 12) to wed a Grimaldi cousin, which would have kept the throne within the Grimaldi family as prescribed by the constitution. However, the state of the Grimaldi fortunes, and lack of (the politically necessary) approval from King Louis XIV dictated otherwise. Louise-Hippolyte was married to Jacques de Goyon Matignon, a wealthy aristocrat from Normandy. Louise-Hippolyte succeeded her father as sovereign of Monaco in 1731 but died just months later. The King of France, confirming Monaco's subservient state to France, ignored the protests of other branches of the Grimaldi family, overthrew the Monegasque constitution, and approved the succession of Jacques de Goyon Matigno as Prince Jacques I.^[27]

Jacques I assumed the name and arms of the Grimaldi, but the French aristocracy showed scant respect towards the new Prince who had risen from their ranks and chose to spend his time absent from Monaco. He died in 1751 having never achieved his ambition to be a respected sovereign.^[28] He was succeeded by his and Louise-Hippolyte's son Prince Honore III.

Honoré III married Catherine Brignole^[29] in 1757 and later divorced her. Interestingly, before his marriage Honoré III had been conducting an affair with his future mother-in-law.^[30] After her divorce Marie Brignole married in 1798 to Louis Joseph de Bourbon, Prince de Conde, a member of the fallen French royal house.

Ironically, the Grimaldi fortunes were restored when descendents of both Hortense Mancini and Louis I married: Louise d'Aumont Mazarin married Honoré III's son and heir, the future Honoré IV. This marriage in 1776 was extremely advantageous to the Grimaldi, as Louise's ancestress Hortense Mancini had been the heiress of Cardinal Mazarin. Thus Monaco's ruling family acquired all the estates bequeathed by Cardinal Mazarin, including the Duchy of Rethel, and the Principality of Château-Porcien.^[31]

illustration 13: By the end of the 18th century the Palace was once again a "splendid place".^[32] Honoré II's front created a palace effect by masking the Genoan towers.

Honoré III was a soldier who fought at both Fontenoy and Raucoux. He was happy to leave Monaco to be governed by others, most notably a former tutor. It was on one of Honoré III's rare visits to the Palace in 1767 that illness forced Edward, Duke of York to land at Monaco. The sick duke was allocated the state bedchamber where he promptly died. Since that date the room has been known as the York Room.

Despite its lack of coninuous occupancy by the final quarter of the 18th century the Palace was once again a "splendid place"^[33] (illustration 13). However revolution was afoot and in the late 1780s Honoré III had to make concessions to his people who had caught the revolutionary fever from their French neighbours. This was only the beginning of the Grimaldi's problems. In 1793 the leaders of the French Revolution annexed Monaco. The Prince was imprisoned in France and his property and estates, including the Palace, were forfeited to France.

The Palace was looted by the Prince's subjects,^[34] and what remained of the furnishings and art collection was auctioned by the French government.^[35] Further humiliations were heaped on both the country and Palace. Monaco was renamed "Fort d'Hercule" and became a canton of France while the Palace became a military hospital and poorhouse. In Paris the Prince's daughter-in-law Francoise-Thérèse de Choiseul-Stainville (1766-1794)^[36] was executed, one of the last to be guillotined during the Reign of Terror.^[37] Honoré III died in 1795 in Paris, where he had spent most of his life, without regaining his throne.

[edit] 19th century

[edit] Regaining the Palace

Illustration 15: St Mary's Tower (M), rebuilt by Charles III to resemble a medieval fortress. To the right is Albert I's clock tower in white stone from La Turbie.

Illustration 14: Prince Honoré V began restoration of the Palace following the French Revolution.

Honoré III was succeeded by his son Honoré IV (7 May 1758 – 16 February 1819) whose marriage to Louise d'Aumont Mazarin had done so much to restore the Grimaldi fortunes. Much of this fortune had been depleted by the hardships of the revolution. On 17 June 1814 under the Treaty of Paris, the Principality of Monaco was restored to Honoré IV.

The fabric of the Palace had been completely neglected during the years in which the Grimaldi had been exiled from Monaco. Such was the state of disrepair that part of the east wing had to be demolished along with Honoré II's bathing pavilion, which stood on the site occupied today by the Napoleon Museum and the Palace archives.

[edit] Restoration

Honoré IV died died shortly after his throne was restored to him, and structural restoration of the palace began under Honoré V and was continued after his death in 1841 by his brother Prince Florestan. However, by the time of Florestan's accession Monaco was once again experiencing political tensions caused by the financial problems resulting from its position as a protectorate of Sardinia, the country to which it had been ceded by France following the end of the Napoleonic wars. Florestan, an eccentric (he had been a professional actor), left the running of Monaco to this wife Maria Caroline Gibert de Lametz. Despite her attempts to rule, the Prince's subjects were once again in revolt. In an attempt to ease the volatile situation Florestan ceded power to his son Charles, but this came too late to appease the Monagasques. Menton and Roquebrune broke away from Monaco, leaving the Grimaldi's already small country hugely diminished - little more than Monte Carlo.

Illustration 16: Prince Charles III completed the restoration of the Palace following the French Revolution.

Florestan died in 1856 and his son, Charles, who had already been ruling what remained of Monaco, succeeded him as Charles III (illustration 16). Menton and Roquebrune officially became part of France in 1861, reducing Monaco's size at a stroke by 80%. With time on his hands Charles III now devoted his time to completing the restoration of his Palace begun by his uncle Honoré V. He rebuilt St Mary's Tower (Illustration 15) and completely restored the chapel, adding a new altar, and having its vaulted ceiling painted with frescos, while outside the façade was painted by Jacob Froëschle and Deschler with murals illustrating various heroic deeds performed by the Grimaldi. The guard room, the former great hall of the fortress (now known as the State Hall), was transformed by new Renaissance decorations and the addition of a monumental chimneypiece.

Charles III also made serious attempts to find the various works of art and furniture dispersed, looted and sold during the revolution. Together with new purchases a fine art collection once again adorned the palace which included not only family portraits such as that of Lucien I by de Predis; Honoré II by Philippe de Champaigne; the head of Antoine I by Hyacinthe Rigaud, and van Loo's portrait of Louise-Hyppolyte (illustrated) but also such masterpieces as the "The Music Lesson" by Titian.

Charles III was also responsible for another palace in Monte Carlo, one which would fund his restorations, and turn around his country's faltering economy. This new palace was Charles Garnier's Second Empire casino, completed in 1878 (Illustration 17). The first Monaco casino had opened the previous decade. Through the casino Monaco become self-supporting.^[38]

[edit] Decline of Grimaldi power

Illustration 17: By the 1880s, Monaco had acquired a reputation as a decadent playground and seasonal destination for Russian Grand Dukes, railway magnates, jewel thieves and con-men.

By the time of Charles III's death in 1889, Monaco and Monte Carlo were synonymous as one and the same place, and had acquired, through gambling, its reputation as a louche and decadent playground of the rich. It attracted everyone from Russian Grand Dukes and railway magnates to jewel thieves and con-men, causing the small country to be derided by many, including Queen Victoria.^[39] In fact so decadent was Monaco now considered that from 1882, when she first began visiting the French Riviera, Queen Victoria refused to pay a courtesy social calls to the Palace.^[40]

The successive rulers of Monaco tended to live elsewhere and visit their Palace only occasionally. Charles III was succeeded in 1889 by Albert I (illustration 18). Albert married the daughter of a Scottish aristocrat. The couple had one son, Louis, before divorcing in 1880. Albert was a keen scientist and founded the Oceanographic Institute in 1906; as a pacifist he then founded the International Institute of Peace in Monaco. Albert's second wife Alice Heine did much to turn Monte Carlo into a cultural centre, establishing both ballet and the opera in the city. Having brought a large dowry into the family she contemplated turning the casino into a convalescent home for the poor who would benefit from recuperation is warm climes.^[41] The couple separated before she was able to put her plan into action.

Illustration 18: Prince Louis II of Monaco adopted his illegitimate daughter to secure the Grimaldi succession.

Albert was succeeded in 1922 onto the throne by his son Louis II. Louis II had been brought up by his mother and stepfather in Germany, and did not know Monaco at all until he was 11. He had a distant relationship with this father and served in the French Army. While posted abroad he met his mistress Marie Juliette Louvet by whom he had a daughter, Charlotte Louise Juliette, born in Algeria in 1898. As Prince of Monaco, Louis II spent much time elsewhere, preferring to live on the family estate "Le Marchais" close to Paris. In 1911 Prince Louis had a law passed legitimising his daughter so that she could inherit the throne, in order to prevent it passing to a distant German branch of the family. The law was challenged and developed into what became known as Monaco succession crisis. Finally in 1919 the Prince formally adopted his illegitimate daughter Charlotte, who became known as Princess Charlotte, Duchess of Valentinois. Louis II's collection of artefacts belonging to Napoleon I form the foundation of the Napoleon Museum at the Palace, which is open to the public.

During World War II, Louis attempted to keep Monaco neutral, although his sympathies were with the Vichy French Government.^[42] This caused a rift with his grandson Rainier, his daughter's son, and the^[43] heir to Louis' throne, who strongly supported the Allies against the Nazis.

Following the liberation of Monaco by the Allied forces, the 75-year-old Prince Louis did little for his principality and it began to fall into severe neglect. By 1946 he was spending most of his time in Paris and on 27 July of that year, he married for the first time. Absent from Monaco during most of the final years of his reign, he and his wife lived on their estate in France. Prince Louis died in 1949 and was succeeded by his grandson, Prince Rainier III.

[edit] Rainier III

Illustration 19: Sentries and cannon guard the entrance to the restored palace

Prince Rainier III was responsible for not only turning around the fortune and reputation of Monaco but also for overseeing the restoration and return to glory of the Palace. Upon his accession in 1949 Prince Rainier III immediately began a program of renovation and restoration. Many of the external frescoes on the courtyard were restored, while the southern wing, destroyed following the French Revolution, was rebuilt. This is the part of the Palace where the Royal family have their private apartments.^[44] The wing also houses the Napoleon Museum and Palace archives.

The frescoes decorating the open arcade known as the Gallery of Hercules were altered by Rainier III, who imported works by Pier Francesco Mazzucchelli depicting mythological and legendary heroes.^[45] In addition many of the rooms were refurnished and redecorated.^[46] Many of the marble floors have been restored in the staterooms and decorated with intarsia designs which include the double R monogram of Prince Rainier III.^[47]

Together with his wife, the former Grace Kelly, Prince Rainier not only restored the Palace, but from the 1970s also made it the headquarters of a large and thriving business, which encouraged light industry to Monaco, the aim of which was to lessen Monaco's dependence on the income from gambling.^[48] This involved land reclamation, the development of new beaches, and high rise luxury housing. As a result of Monaco's increase in prestige in 1993 it joined the United Nations, with Rainier's heir Prince Albert in the position of head of the Monaco delegation.^[49]

Princess Grace predeceased her husband dying in 1982 as the result of a car accident. When Rainier III died in 2005 he left both the Palace and his country in a stronger and more stable state of repair financially and structurally than it had been for centuries.

[edit] The palace in the 21st century

Illustration 20:Prince Albert II, photographed in the Palace's throne room.

Today the Palace is home to Prince Rainier's son and successor, Prince Albert II (illustration 20). The state rooms are open to the public during the summer, and since 1960, the palace's courtyard has been the setting for open air concerts given by Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra (formerly known as the Orchestra of the National Opera).^[50]

However the palace is far more than a tourist attraction and museum, it remains a fully working palace and headquarters of the Monagasque monarchy. A fact emphasised by the sentries on constant guard duty at the entrance to the palace (illustration 19). The monarchy, although constitutional, is very involved with the day to day running of Monaco as both a country and a business. Today Monaco covers an area of 197 hectares of which 40 has been reclaimed from the sea since 1980.^[51]

On days of national importance the citizens of Monaco are invited into the palace courtyard, where from the Gallery of Hercules they are addressed by their prince. These occasions include princely weddings and the presentation of newly born members of the princely family^[52] and an annual childrens' Christmas Party - in this way the palace remains a central focus to both the princely family of Monaco and their people, a role it has served for over 700 years.

[edit] Notes

[edit] References

• Lisimachio, Albert (1969). Great Palaces (The Royal Palace, Monaco. Pages 203 - 211). London: Hamlyn Publishing Group Ltd.. SBN 600 01682 X. 
• de Chimay, Jacqueline (1969). Great Palaces (Fontainebleau. Pages 67 - 77). London: Hamlyn Publishing Group Ltd.. BN 600 01682 X. 
• Edwards, Anne (1992). The Grimaldis of Monaco. William Morrow & Co. ISBN-13: 978-0688088378. 
• de Fontenoy, Marquise (1892). Revelation of High Life Within Royal Palaces. The Private Life of Emperors, Kings, Queens, Princes and Princesses. Written From a Personal Knowledge of Scenes Behind the Thrones. Philadelphia: Hubbard Publishing Co. 

• The Prince's Palace of Monaco retrieved 06 February 2007
• The Grimaldis of Monaco retrieved 06 February 2007
• Monte Carlo. Société des Bains de Mer retrieved 07 February 2007
• The House of Grimaldi retrieved 07 February 2007
• Louise d'Aumont Mazarin retrieved 08 February 2007
• Monaco: (Early History) retrieved 09 February 2007
• Monaco: 1662 to 1815 retrieved 08 February 2007
• The History of Monaco to 1949 retrieved 09 February 2007
• The Royal Scribe retrieved 15 February 2007
• Pricipaute de Monaco retrieved 25 February 2007
• Marie Catherine Brignole retrieved 15 February 2007

Coordinates: 43°43′53.1″N, 07°25′12.99″E

• Monaco: 1662 to 1815 retrieved 08 February 2007