Rock of Monaco

TheRock of Monaco(French:Rocher de Monaco;Monégasque:Roca de Mùnegu) is a 62-metre (203 ft)^[1]tallmonolithon theMediterraneancoast of thePrincipality of Monaco.It overlooks theMediterranean Seaand thePort Hercules.^[2]

History

The Rock has been a coveted possession from the beginning of the ancientMassiliancolony of Monoïkos (Greek:Μόνοικος), named for theLiguriantribes who occupied the area and vied for control of it; even earlier, it was a shelter for primitive populations. The Rock ofMonacowas also the first conquest of theGrimaldidynasty, the rulers of the country for more than 700 years, founded when theGuelf Francesco Grimaldidisguised himself as a Franciscan friar in order to gain entry to the city and open the gates for his soldiers.

Today

Today, the Rock is in the oldest of Monaco's four quarters,Monaco-Ville,which is also the location of Old Town, the oldest part of the city, not far from thePrince's Palace(French:Le Palais Princier), home of the currentmonarch Albert IIand theprincely family,theCathedraland theOceanographic Museum of Monaco.The Rock of Monaco is a popular attraction where tourists view the palace and thechanging of the guards.

Image gallery

The Rock in 1890
Monaco-Ville and harbour ofFontvieilletoday

References

^"Provence 7 Monaco-Ville".15 August 2014.Retrieved20 July2015.
^"The Rock of Monaco".Michelin. Archived fromthe originalon 9 June 2011.Retrieved9 August2012.

43°43′52″N7°25′26″E/ 43.731°N 7.424°E/43.731; 7.424

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[1] "Provence 7 Monaco-Ville".15 August 2014.Retrieved20 July2015.

[2] "The Rock of Monaco".Michelin. Archived fromthe originalon 9 June 2011.Retrieved9 August2012.

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