Page 8 - Lifestyles in Palm Bach Gardens - December '22

Page 8, Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens
Monaco: Playground Of The Rich And Famous

Previously submitted by Most people are surprised
the late Don Kiselewski, at the actual size of the
MCC, D.S., of Palm Beach principality, because of the
Gardens Travel Leaders world recognition that the
L oc a t e d on t he country enjoys. Monaco’s
Me di t e rra ne a n Se a , land area is approximately
completely surrounded by the same size as the site of
France, lies the Principality The Gardens Mall. Its area
of Monaco. This tiny self- is approximately 500 acres,
governing territory on the slightly smaller than Juno
Côte d’Azur lies less than Beach. To place Monaco
10 miles from Nice, France in still another perspective,
(just seven minutes by helicopter link), while the Italian the country is the length
border is just five miles to the east. of 10 football fields long The residences on the “Rock” portion of Monaco; many of the homes here are those of royalty,
and varies from one to four like the princess. The Palais Princier is the large building in the rear.
fields wide. Reclaiming
land from the sea has added very few acres to the (Auditorium Ranier III). The streets between the casino
principality, where land is so precious. and Mediterranean are transformed into the raceway that
Monaco lies to the south of the Moyenne Corniche becomes the Grand Prix.
(middle roadway), and the main axis of the country, From early antiquity, the Rock of Monaco and natural
which lies in a southwest to northeast direction, is divided harbor served as a refuge for primitive people, and later
by the Basse Corniche. Geographically, Monaco is also for navigators returning from the east. In the sixth century
separated into four sections or quarters. The quarters B.C., the Rock was inhabited by a Ligurian tribe called
consist of Fontvieille, La Condamine, Monaco-Ville the Monoïkos (believed to be the origin of the name of
(locally known as Le Rocher or “the Rock”) and probably Monaco). Following the Gallic Wars (58 to 50 B.C.), the
the best known, Monte Carlo. province fell under Roman control and Monaco became
Plastics, glass and electronics are the major items part of the Maritime Alps province. Julius Caesar set sail
produced in the Fontvieille quarter of Monaco. The most from Monaco to fight in Greece.
dominant structure of this quarter is the soccer stadium, After the fall of the Roman Empire in 500 A.D.,
which occupies approximately 10 percent of the land area. the region was ravaged by hordes of barbarians – until
This area, which contains most of the reclaimed land, is 975, when the Saracens were expelled from the area,
served by the Port de Fontvielle and the heliport. heralding the beginning of a new area. In 1162, Frederick
Monaco-Ville contains the Palais Princier (Prince’s Barbarossa, Holy Roman Emperor, granted maritime
Palace), Saint Nicholas Cathedral, the Oceanographic domination of the region to the Republic of Genoa.
Museum and many of the other buildings that are vitally Until 1419, the Rock was the scene of fierce fighting
important to Monaco’s history. The natural terrace of the between two major adversaries of Genoa: The Ghibellines
area was ideal for early fortification, as it is surrounded (supporting the Emperor) and the Guelphs (loyal to the
on three sides by the sea, and at one time was separated Pope). On January 8, 1297, Guelph Francois Grimaldi,
by a moat from the land side making an island fortress, disguised as a monk, entered Monaco clandestinely. This
high above the sea. event is commemorated on the Grimaldi coat of arms,
La Condamine, or the harbor area, contains the bulk which features two monks brandishing a sword.
of the country’s living units. The country is 100 percent Between 1346 and 1355, Charles Grimaldi constituted
urbanized, and the land to the west of the Porte de Monaco a veritable domain of the principality by acquiring the
contains very little vegetation. It is this portion of the seigneuries of Menton and Roquebrune. In 1489, King
country that boasts the natural harbor, which serves as Charles VIII of France recognized the independence of
the anchorage for the yachts of the rich and famous. Monaco; however, in 1793 the principality reverted back
Monte Carlo, the best known quarter of Monaco, is to a territory of the French Republic under the name of
the pinnacle of the world for gambling. Gambling is the Port Hercule, an ordinary township in the Maritime Alps
way of life in Monte Carlo, and the opera house (Opéra province. The prince and his family were arrested, their
de Monte-Carlo) and Monte Carlo Casino, both built by riches were dispersed, and the palace was converted to a
Charles Garnier – who also built the Paris Opera house workhouse.
– is the epitome of this activity. In front of the casino are On May 30, 1814, the Treaty of Paris reestablished the
magnificent flower beds and gardens forming the Place du Grimaldis and restored their rights. In 1861, the towns of Menton
Casino. Facing the sea on the other side of the casino is
the convention center (Grimaldi Forum) and auditorium Monaco on page 9

BUILDING LIFE’S CHAMPIONS

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A beautiful view of Monte Carlo (Monaco) seen from the
heights behind the city. Shot taken in Côte d’Azur, France

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Trafalgar’s Scenic Park Explorer tour. Want to see the
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