Castle of Monaco, Monte Carlo

The Castle of Monaco or the Prince's Palace is a medieval castle located in Monte Carlo, Monaco. The castle was originally built by the Genoese in 1215 but was in 1297 seized by Francesco Grimaldi who founded the House of Grimaldi which ruled Monaco in direct line ever since. The castle, originally built as a fortress went through numerous rebuilding and remodelations in the following centuries.



It continuously served as the residence of the royal family except between 1793 and 1814 when Monaco was annexed by France and the Grimaldi's were exiled. During that time the Castle of Monaco fell into neglect but after regaining the castle the Grimaldi's began its restoration which was completed in its present splendid appearance by Prince Rainer III in the second half of the 20th century. Today is the Castle of Monaco open to the public from June to October.