Photo excursion - Principality of Monaco (121 photos) (part 1)

The history of modern Monaco begins in 1215 with the founding of a colony of the Genoese Republic on the territory of the principality and the construction of a fortress.
On January 8, 1297, during the civil war in Genoa, Monaco was occupied by Francois Grimaldi and his supporters. This date is considered to be the beginning of the reign of the Grimaldi dynasty and the existence of the independent state of Monaco. Since then, for more than 700 years, the principality has been ruled by representatives of this family.

Monaco postage stamp. Portrait of Prince Albert II, 2006. Author - Georgy Shishkin

In 1789 the country was annexed by France.

The Treaty of Paris (first) on May 30, 1814 restored the principality within the borders that existed before January 1, 1792, under a French protectorate.
After the final collapse of the Empire, according to the Treaty of Paris (second) on November 20, 1815, Monaco was transferred to the protectorate of the Kingdom of Sardinia.

In March 1860, in gratitude for the military assistance provided by the French Emperor Napoleon III to the unification of Italy, the Kingdom of Sardinia ceded Savoy and the County of Nice, including Menton and Roquebrune, to France. On July 18, 1860, Sardinia withdrew its troops from Monaco, thereby ending the protectorate.

In 1865, a casino was opened in Monte Carlo and a customs union was created with France, which significantly boosted the country's economic development.

The first constitution limiting the power of princes was introduced in 1911.

In 1993, Monaco became a full member of the UN.

Widespread interest in Monaco was aroused by the wedding in 1956 of the then ruler Prince Rainier III (acceded to the throne in 1949) with Hollywood actress Grace Kelly. Rainier also launched active construction in Monaco.

On 31 March 2005, Prince Rainier III, being too ill to exercise his powers, transferred them to his only son and heir, Prince Albert. Rainier died on April 6, 2005.

Currently, the son of Rainier III, Prince Albert II, rules after the death of his father in 2005.