Cathedral of St. Nicholas in Monaco: description, history. Monaco
Monaco, Avenue Saint-Martin, MC 98000 Monaco-Ville, Monaco
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Saint Nicholas Cathedral is a cathedral in the Principality of Monaco, often referred to as the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady. The structure was built in 1875 of white stone in the Romanesque style on the site where the church of St. Nicholas was located from the 13th century. To this day, the Cathedral serves as the last refuge for members of the princely families of Monaco.
You can get to the Cathedral by public transport, using the buses of the 1st or 2nd line, going to.
The doors of the Cathedral are open to visitors today. Divine services are held during religious holidays and on the national Day of the Prince, which falls on November 19th. On the days of religious services, within the walls of the cathedral, you can hear concerts of organ music, originating here in 1976, when the majestic organ was installed. The interior decorations of the Cathedral are complemented by paintings by the popular painter Louis Brea, and the pulpit with the altar is carved from white Carrara marble, inlaid with mosaics rich in symbolism.
What to see in Monaco?
Walking through Monaco-Ville, the most ancient district of the Principality, is a special pleasure. You walk along the narrow medieval streets, which are very crowded with tourists during the day, and can be completely deserted in the evening. In any case, simple routes will most likely lead you to the main cathedral of the Principality, another must-see attraction.
Cathedral of St. Nicholas in Monaco: description, history
The Cathedral of St. Nicholas in Monaco in the medieval Monaco-Ville looks quite old, but it was built relatively recently - in 1875. The place on which it stands is considered holy, since before the Cathedral there was a church of the 13th century, destroyed during the hard times of the French Revolution.
The location of the cathedral is one of the highest and most beautiful points in the Principality of Monaco. The interior of the cathedral is decorated with paintings by the famous artist Louis Brea.
On National Day, on religious holidays and on Sundays, you can hear the organ that was installed here almost forty years ago. Every year in the summer, the International Organ Festival is held here - a wonderful musical event, the entrance to which, according to tradition, is free.
In addition to worship, another role of the Cathedral is to serve as the tomb of the princes of Monaco. Representatives of thirty-five generations of the Grimaldi family are buried here. The tomb of the incredibly famous and beloved throughout the world, Princess Grace, is also located here, and her memorial stone next to that of her husband, Prince Reine III, is a place of special reverence for visitors. On their graves you will almost always see red and white roses.
- The Cathedral of St. Nicholas (la cathédrale de Monaco) was built in 1875 on the site of an old church of the 13th century.
The building was built in the Romanesque style of white stone.
In 1976, an organ was installed in the cathedral, which sounds during infrequent religious services. Traditionally, masses are held on religious holidays and on Prince's Day, celebrated in Monaco on November 19th.
The cathedral is the tomb of the princes of Monaco. Weddings and christenings are also held here.
Opposite the entrance to the cathedral there is a billboard with a wedding photograph of the film actress Gray Kelly, who became Princess of Monaco in April 1956.
An interesting fact… All my photos of the cathedral turned out to be aged, almost black and white…
Bright flowers on the lawns look like artificially painted ...
The tomb in the cathedral is located behind the altar. Numerous incoming visitors, as it were, make a circle around the cathedral, passing along a number of graves, including past the grave of the tragically deceased Grace Kelly. There are always fresh flowers on her grave.
The cathedral as a whole leaves a sad impression. Everyone around was talking only about Grace Kelly. In general, in Monaco, much is connected with the memory of this beautiful woman.
The vaults of the cathedral also leave a gloomy impression. Everything around is luxurious, but oppressive and dark. The cathedral was built in a completely atypical for that time "pink-gilded" manner ...
Saint Nicholas Cathedral in Monaco is decorated with paintings by artist Louis Bréa. The painting behind the altar was created in 1500.
IN summer time on Sundays, solemn high masses are held in the Cathedral of St. Nicholas with the participation of the choir of the "Little Singers of Monaco" and the "Children's Choir Chapel".
Cathedral St. Nicholas in Monaco is undoubtedly beautiful and majestic, but I did not have the desire to return once again to this sad place ...
In Monaco - one of the main famous buildings of the city, which tourists tend to visit. Local population calls it the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady, this is the main temple for all Catholics of the Principality. This one, built at the end of the 19th century on the site of the ancient church of St. Nicholas, continues to profess the traditions and beliefs of the old Christians.
History and traditions
In Monaco, the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas was erected in 1875 on the same site where the ancient church once stood, destroyed in the 13th century. For the construction of the structure, a special white stone was used - limestone, brought to the country from France, located in the neighborhood. This limestone has special properties: usually the blocks have a grayish color, but turn white when exposed to moisture.
This unusual quality is associated with the tradition of local residents to come here to pray when it rains. The walls of the cathedral at this time become snow-white, and parishioners believe that the water falling from heaven washes away sins from their souls in the same way as it washes the walls of the temple. Life seems to start from scratch.
In 1960, 3 bells were placed in the Cathedral of St. Nicholas, each of which received a name: they are called Nicole, Devota and Immaculate Virgin Mary. Bishop Gilles Barthes blessed the bells. In 1997, 1 more bell was added to the top of the building, which also received a name - it was named Benedict.
External and internal decoration
The Cathedral of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker was built in the Neo-Romanesque style, very popular in Europe in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This style is characterized by certain features of Gothic, Art Nouveau and Renaissance. It differs from the Romanesque style in a simpler design of arches, window and door openings. Outside, the temple is decorated with graceful Corinthian columns, winged lions, stone slabs depicting biblical scenes.
The interior decoration is no less amazing: the high walls are decorated with images of angels, prophets and Mary with the newborn Jesus in her arms. In the center is the iconostasis and the episcopal throne, carved from white Carrara marble, and on both sides of it are lodges intended for the monarch and his family. The central mosaic depicts the Virgin Mary with baby Jesus, St. Peter, the prophet Isaiah, the archangels Gabriel and Michael, as well as 26 more faces of other saints, located one step below.
The window openings are decorated with skillful stained-glass windows with graceful images of Mary and Jesus. Stained-glass windows are inserted into the windows, showing scenes from the life of Christ and the Mother of God. From the old church of the 13th century, instead of which the temple was erected, four altars have been preserved, three of which were made under the direction of Francois Brea, the famous painter.
Some of the walls of the Cathedral of St. Nicholas in Monaco are decorated with precious paintings hung with paintings by artists, many of which are rare and extremely expensive. Experts in the field of art do not need explanations, but for everyone else, there is a special plate next to each canvas and sculpture, which indicates the author, time of creation and a brief history of the work.
In 1987, the choirs were restored here. For this, parts of the old altar were used, made of Carrara marble and decorated with unique antique mosaics.
Representatives of the Grimaldi dynasty are buried on the territory of the Cathedral of St. Nicholas in Monaco. These sovereign princes ruled Monaco for more than seven hundred years. The thirteenth prince from this dynasty, Rainier III, who died in 2005, is also buried here. Princess Grace Kelly found peace within the walls of the Cathedral.
big organ
The large organ is the real pride of the temple. 12 years after the construction of the building, in 1887 the first tool was installed, but in 1922 it was completely replaced with a new one. In 1968, the organ was improved, and in 2009 a complete reconstruction and restoration was carried out. Organ music connoisseurs who come to the annual festival are very fond of the amazing sounds of this instrument.
Where is the Cathedral of St. Nicholas
The majestic building is located at the following address: Monaco, rue Colonel Bellando de Castro, 4. Entrance for visitors is completely free, but the doors are not always open. Solemn Catholic services are held here exclusively on the days of major Christian holidays, as well as on Prince's Day, which coincides in time with Monaco's Day - November 19th.
The snow-white and majestic Cathedral of St. Nicholas is not only one of the main attractions of Monaco, but also the main temple for the faithful of the Principality, which they call the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady.
This cathedral church of the local archdiocese, built at the end of the 19th century, follows the traditions and beliefs of the old church of St. Nicholas of the 13th century, on the ruins of which it was built.
From the history
The Neo-Romanesque Saint Nicholas Cathedral was built in 1875 from limestone specially brought from the neighboring town of La Torbie, in France.
This limestone is famous for the fact that over time it turns white when exposed to moisture, and over time, buildings made from it become snow-white.
This is even connected with the custom of local believers, being in the cathedral during the rain, to pray and ask for forgiveness for their sins, and “heavenly water” will cleanse the soul just like the walls of the cathedral, and life will continue from scratch.
In 1960, three bells were installed on top of the building, which received the blessing of Bishop Gilles Barthes and have their own names: Devota, Nicole and Immaculate Virgin Mary.
In 1997, another bell was added - Benedict. It has become a symbol of perpetuating the seven hundred years of the Grimaldi dynasty.
Corinthian columns and winged lions adorn the exterior of the building, and biblical scenes are carved on stone slabs.
No less impressive and striking is the interior of the cathedral - images of the Madonna and Child, prophets and angels decode the interior of the building.
The iconostasis and episcopal altar made of white Carrara marble occupy a central place, on the sides there are lodges for the prince and the royal family.
Byzantine-style mosaics depict the Madonna and Child surrounded by St. Peter and the Archangel Gabriel on the right, the Prophet Isaiah and the Archangel Michael slaying the dragon on the left and 26 other saints next to each other.
The windows have beautiful stained-glass windows representing scenes from the life of Christ and Mary. Four altars, preserved from the old church, are decorated with unique works of painters.
Three altars are attributed to the works of the famous François Brea workshop.
Carrara marble adorns part of the buildings of the Cathedral. On the walls are paintings depicting the Virgin Mary, Jesus in infancy.
Here are the chapel of the Baptism, the font, the statue of Bishop Peruchot Louis-Lazar.
In general, there are many rare expensive paintings by great artists on the territory of the temple, which are highly valued by connoisseurs of art and antiquity.
It should also be noted that next to each painting or a small architectural monument there is a tablet describing the history and the author of the creation.
The choir stalls were restored in 1987, using elements from the old altarpiece, made of white Carrara marble and decorated with rich mosaics.
The Great Organ is a special pride of the Cathedral. The first instrument was installed in 1887, but over time it was replaced by a new instrument in 1922, improved in 1968, and in 2009 underwent a significant reconstruction and restoration.
Today, the instrument contains 4 keyboards, pedals and 4,840 pipes, bringing masses of organ music fans to the annual International Festival.