Monaco City Facts for Kids

This page is about a ward of Monaco. For the municipality coterminous with the country, see Municipality of Monaco.

Quick facts for kids Monaco City Monaco-Ville (French) Mu̍negu Autu (Ligurian)
Ward
View of Monaco City
Nickname(s): The Rock
Location in Monaco
Country	Monaco
Area
• Land	0.196491 km² (0.075866 sq mi)
Population (2008)
• Total	975
• Density	4,962/km² (12,850/sq mi)

Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Monaco City

Monaco City (also called Monaco-Ville in French) is a special part of the small country of Monaco. It sits on a rocky piece of land that sticks out into the Mediterranean Sea. People often call it "The Rock" (Le Rocher).

Even though it has "City" in its name, it's more like a historic neighborhood than a big city. This area is super important because it's where many of Monaco's main government buildings are. You'll find the Prince's Palace, the town hall, and the parliament here.

Where is Monaco City?
A Look Back: History of Monaco City
- Building the Fortress
- The Grimaldi Family Takes Over
Cool Places to See in Monaco City
Famous People from Monaco City
Gallery
See also

Where is Monaco City?

Monaco City is one of the four main areas of Monaco. The other areas are La Condamine, Monte Carlo, and Fontvieille.

It is located at 43°43′51″N 7°25′26″E / 43.73083°N 7.42389°E / 43.73083; 7.42389. About 975 people live here. It covers an area of about 0.2 square kilometers. This makes it a very small but important part of Monaco.

A Look Back: History of Monaco City

Monaco City has a long and interesting past. The ancient Greeks first called this place Monoikos. This name came from a temple dedicated to the hero Hercules.

In the 6th century BCE, people from a Greek city called Massalia (now Marseille) started a colony here. They believed Hercules had traveled through this area.

Building the Fortress

On June 10, 1215, a group of people called the Ghibellines started building a strong fortress on The Rock. They wanted it to be a key military spot. It helped them control the surrounding area.

They also built homes at the base of The Rock for the soldiers and their families. To get more people to move there, they offered land and no taxes to newcomers from Genoa and nearby towns.

The Grimaldi Family Takes Over

On January 8, 1297, a man named François Grimaldi took control of the fortress. He didn't have a big army. Instead, he dressed up like a Franciscan monk to trick the guards and get inside. Once he was in, he opened the gates for his soldiers.

This clever trick earned him the nickname "Malizia," which means "malice." Because of this story, the coat of arms of Monaco today shows two Franciscan monks holding swords. This event marked the beginning of the Grimaldi family's rule in Monaco.

Cool Places to See in Monaco City

Even though Monaco City is in the middle of a busy area, it feels like a quiet, old village. Most of its streets are for walking only. It gets very peaceful after the sun goes down. Only local cars can drive up to The Rock.

Here are some famous places you can visit:

Prince's Palace: This is where the Prince of Monaco lives. You can watch the colorful changing of the guard ceremony every day at 11:55 a.m.
Monaco Cathedral: This beautiful Catholic church is built in a Romanesque-Byzantine style. Many members of Monaco's ruling family are buried here.
Oceanographic Museum: Prince Albert I started this museum in 1910. It's a famous place to learn about ocean life.
Chapel of Mercy: Built in 1639, this is one of the oldest buildings in Monaco. It's known for a special torchlit procession that happens every year before Good Friday.
St Martin Gardens: This is a small park with rocky paths that follow the edge of The Rock. It offers great views.
Museum of the Chapel of Visitation: This is a 17th-century chapel that now serves as an art museum.
Fort Antoine Theatre: This is an outdoor theater (an amphitheater) located at the bottom of The Rock.