The Prince’s Palace of Monaco built in 1215, was originally a frontier fortress of the Republic of Genoa.
It became the property and residence of the Grimaldi family at the end of the thirteenth century, marking the beginning of their sovereignty over the territories of Monaco.
In the sixteenth century, the lords of Munich demanded recognition of their independence from the European powers.
They obtained this recognition in 1512 from the King of France, then from the Emperor and the Pope in 1524.
In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the Princely Palace of Monaco became the symbol of glamour and the jet set. Prince Rainier III brought the Monegasque territory to international prominence.
Thanks above all to his marriage to the American star Grace Kelly, he gave a new image to the principality.
Since the acquisition of the palace by the Grimaldi family, several changes have been made.
It was with the investiture of Prince Honoré II in 1604 that the residence took on the appearance of a princely palace in the Italian Renaissance style.
The castle lost its medieval appearance and was inspired by the palaces of the European courts. Honoré II ordered the extension of the Princely Palace of Monaco, which took on its current form.
Louis I had a large horseshoe-shaped staircase built and enriched the art collection, which was destroyed during the French Revolution.
During the European Restoration of 1814, the palace was returned to the Monegasque dynasty.
Today it is possible to admire the splendour of this palace: the Chapel of the palace, dedicated to St. John the Baptist, the Gallery of Hercules, the Hall of Mirrors, the Red Room, the York Room, the Yellow Room or the Louis XV Room, the Throne Room
The Prince’s Palace of Monaco is a private residence inside which at certain times of the year it is possible to visit the Grand Apartments.
In the outer courtyard of the Palace, every day at 11:55 am, the changing of the guard takes place.
