Monaco City (French: Monaco-Ville) is the southcentral Ward in the Principality of Monaco. Located on a headland that extends into the Mediterranean Sea, Monaco City is nicknamed The Rock (French: Le Rocher). The name “Monaco City” is misleading, Monaco City is a historical and statistical district, not a city. Monaco City is one of the four traditional quarters (French: quartiers) of Monaco, the others are La Condamine, Monte Carlo, and Fontvieille.
Monaco City was originally called Monoikos, after the temple of Hercules Monoikos, located in a Phocaean Greeks colony of the 6th century BCE. During its history, Monoikos passed hands numerous times. It became Monaco in the Middle Ages. Some of the city walls and original structures still remain. In 1297, the Rock was seized by François Grimaldi, a member of the House of Grimaldi. The Grimaldis made the old fortress their residence. The fortress evolved into the Palais Princier, which is the official residence of Albert II, Prince of Monaco.
Despite being located in the middle of the City of Monaco, the world’s most densely populated urban center, Monaco City remains a medieval village at heart, made up almost entirely of quiet pedestrian streets and marked by virtual silence after sundown. Though innumerable people visit Monaco City, and the palace square, only local vehicles are allowed up to the Rock, and gasoline-powered motorcycles are prohibited after 10 pm.
Palais Princier, the Prince’s palace. The colorful changing of the guard occurs every day outside the Palais at 11:55 am.
Saint Nicholas Cathedral (French: Cathédrale de Monaco), a Romanesque-Byzantine church that contains the remains of many members of the Monaco’s ruling family. American-born Grace Kelly, Princess Grace of Monaco, and Rainier III, Prince of Monaco, the parents of Prince Albert II, is also buried there.
Chapelle de la Misericorde, built in 1639, one of the oldest buildings in the principality. It is famous for being the starting point of a torchlit religious procession by local residents that takes place on the eve of Good Friday each year.
St Martin Gardens, a small park of rocky paths that cling to the rock.
