Prince's Palace of Monaco

Official residence of the Prince of Monaco – an 800-year-old fortress and home of the Grimaldi family since 1297.

The Prince's Palace is the official residence of the Sovereign Prince of Monaco and carries over 800 years of history. Originally built in 1191 as a Genoese fortress, it has been the stronghold of the Grimaldi family since the late 13th century – who seized it in 1297 through a famous ruse. Since then it has been besieged and bombarded many times, yet never permanently lost. The daily changing of the palace guard is a popular spectacle watched by thousands of visitors. Part of the state apartments open to visitors in summer.