MONTE-CARLO
how to reach Monte-Carlo:
- by car: from Ventimiglia Highway, direction France, exit Monaco-Roquebrune (25 minutes) or by seaside(30 minuti)
- by train: from Ventimiglia Station, every 15 minute.
Founded in 1866, Monte Carlo has a name of Italian origin meaning "Mount Charles", in honour of the then-reigning prince, Charles III of Monaco. The specific mountain is the escarpment at the foot of the Maritime Alps on which the town stands.
Charles III of Monaco who was responsible for turning the Monte Carlo district and Monaco into a thriving town.
The history of the area and the ruling Grimaldi family, however, dates back centuries. The port of Monaco is first mentioned in historical records as early as 43 BC, when Julius Caesar concentrated his fleet there while waiting in vain for Pompey. In the 12th century, the area fell under the sovereignty of Genoa, which was granted the entire coastline from Porto Venere to Monaco. After much conflict, the Grimaldis regained the rock in 1295, but suffered a significant amount of opposition in the ensuing years. In 1506 the Monegasques, under Lucien, Lord of Monaco, were under siege for some four months by the Genoan army, which had ten times the number of men. Monaco officially received full autonomy in 1524, but experienced difficulty retaining power, and on occasions briefly fell under the domination of Spain, Sardinia, and France.
By the 1850s, Monaco’s reigning family was almost bankrupt; this was a result of the loss of two towns, Menton and Roquebrune, which had provided most of the principality’s revenues with their lemon, orange and olive crops.
At the time, a number of small towns in Europe were growing prosperous from the establishment of casinos.
In 1911, when the Constitution divided the principality of Monaco in 3 municipalities, the municipality of Monte Carlo was created covering the existing neighborhoods of La Rousse / Saint Roman, Larvotto / Bas Moulins and Saint Michel. The municipalities were merged into one in 1917, after accusations that the government was acting according to the motto "divide and conquer" and they were accorded the status of wards (quartiers) thereafter. Today, Monaco is divided into 10 wards, with an eleventh ward planned (but currently postponed) to encompass land reclaimed from the sea (see the "Administrative Divisions" section of Monaco for additional details).
The quarter of Monte Carlo was served by tramways from 1900 to 1953, linking all parts of Monaco. In 2003, a new cruise ship pier was completed in the harbour at Monte Carlo.
WHAT TO SEE IN MONACO - MONTE CARLO
- The Prince Palace and the change of the guard (every morning at 11.55)
- Oceanographic Museum
- the romantic-bizantin Cathedral
- the Casino and Gardens
- the Exotic Garden (Jardin Exotique)
- the Chemin des Sculptures and the Roseraie Princesse Grace in Fontvielle Parc
- The Port