Monaco — Capital of Monaco
The second smallest country in the world has no income tax and hosts a Formula 1 race through its streets. Monaco's ruling dynasty has held power since a monk-disguised knight sneaked into a fortress in 1297.
About Monaco — Capital of Monaco
Monaco is the world's second smallest sovereign state at just 2.02 km², yet it punches far above its weight in wealth, glamour, and historical intrigue. Nestled along the French Riviera and surrounded by France on three sides, Monaco has maintained its independence for over seven centuries — a remarkable feat for such a tiny territory.
The Grimaldi dynasty has ruled Monaco since 1297, making it one of the longest-reigning royal families in the world. The story of their takeover is the stuff of legend: François Grimaldi reportedly disguised himself as a Franciscan monk to gain entry to the fortress, then revealed himself and seized control. The family crest to this day bears two monks holding swords — a nod to that cunning ruse.
Monaco's fame in the modern era rests on several pillars. The Monte-Carlo Casino, opened in 1863 and designed by Charles Garnier (the same architect behind the Paris Opera), saved the principality from bankruptcy and remains iconic today — though Monégasque citizens are forbidden from gambling inside it. The Monaco Grand Prix has roared through the city's narrow streets since 1929, with drivers reaching speeds of around 280 km/h through the famous tunnel section beneath the harbour.
American actress Grace Kelly married Prince Rainier III in 1956 in what was called the 'wedding of the century', becoming Princess Grace of Monaco. Her tragic death in a car accident in 1982 on the road above Monaco devastated the principality. Today, the Oceanographic Museum — founded in 1910 by Prince Albert I and directed by Jacques Cousteau from 1957 to 1988 — stands as one of Monaco's finest cultural institutions.