Monaco-City

Monaco-City (Monaco-Ville) is the southcentral Ward in the Principality of Monaco. Located on a headland that extends into the Mediterranean Sea, Monaco-City is nicknamed The Rock (Le Rocher). The name "Monaco-City" (Monaco-Ville) is misleading, Monaco-City is an historical and statistical district, not a city.

Geography
Monaco-City is one of the four traditional quarters (quartiers) of Monaco, the others are La Condamine, Monte Carlo, and Fontvieille.

Monaco-Ville is located at 43.7375°N, 7.41528°W and has an estimated population of 975.

History
Monaco-City was originally called Monoikos, after the temple of Hercules Monoikos, located in a Phocaean Greeks colony of the sixth century. During its history, Monoikos passed hands a number of times. It became known as Monaco in the Middle Ages when a fortress was built on the Rock in the 13th century and later a fortified town. Some of the city walls still remain.

In 1297, the Rock was seized by François Grimaldi, a member of the House of Grimaldi. The Grimaldis made the old fortress their residence. The fortress evolved into the Palais Princier, which is the official residence of Albert II, Prince of Monaco.

Landmarks
Despite being located in the middle of the City of Monaco, the world's most densely populated urban center, Monaco-City remains a medieval village at heart, made up almost entirely of quiet pedestrian streets and marked by virtual silence after sundown. Though innumerable people visit Monaco-City, and the palace square, only local vehicles are allowed up to the Rock, and gasoline-powered motorcycles are prohibited after 10 pm.


 * Palais Princier, the Prince's palace. The colorful changing of the guard occurs every day outside the Palais at 11:55 am.


 * Saint Nicholas Cathedral (Cathédrale de Monaco), a Romanesque-Byzantine church that contains the remains of many members of the Monaco's ruling family. American-born Grace Kelly, Princess Grace of Monaco, the mother of Prince Albert II, is also buried there.


 * Oceanographic Museum, established by Albert I, Prince of Monaco, in 1910.


 * Chapelle de la Misericorde, built in 1639, one of the oldest buildings in the principality. It is famous for being the starting point of a torchlit religious procession by local residents that takes place on the eve of Good Friday each year.


 * St Martin Gardens, a small park of rocky paths that cling to the rock.


 * Museum of the Chapel of Visitation, a 17th-century Roman Catholic chapel and art museum.


 * Fort Antoine Theatre, an amphitheater at the bottom of the rock.

Notable residents

 * Daniel Ducruet; Carabinier in the Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince
 * Pauline Ducruet; Monégasque royal
 * Louis Ducruet; Monégasque royal
 * Andrea Casiraghi; Monégasque royal
 * Charlotte Casiraghi; Monégasque royal
 * Pierre Casiraghi; Monégasque royal
 * Stefano Casiraghi; Italian socialite
 * Tatiana Casiraghi; Colombian socialite
 * Gad Elmaleh; Moroccan actor
 * Philippe Gilbert; Belgian cyclist
 * Albert Grimaldi; Prince of Monaco
 * Caroline Grimaldi; Princess of Monaco, Princess of Hanover
 * Gabriella Grimaldi; Princess of Monaco
 * Jacques Grimaldi; Prince of Monaco
 * Stéphanie Grimaldi; Princess of Monaco
 * Alexandra Hanover; Princess of Hanover
 * Charlene Wittstock; Princess of Monaco