Trip to Monaco - Part 4 - Saint Nicholas Cathedral

The attraction of this church wasn't its architectural style or its treasures (a Renaissance screen, a carrara marble pulpit and altar), but to see where Princess Grace was buried. Behind the apse, the Grimaldi's have floor plaques noting the burial place of a royal family member. Princess Grace and Prince Rainer had floor plaques here side by side.

The memorial for each was similar - on a very plain white marble surface their name and date of death appeared and underneath that information, a royal crown. Prince Rainer's floor plaque had 3 large fresh floral displays and a wreath while Prince Grace just had 3 white full blown roses in single vase. At the head of their plaques was a sketch of them at the altar on their wedding day.

It was interesting to note that this church, built in the late 1800's, had an older style - Romanesque - Byzantine. High windows with stained glass were attractive and appeared in openings above rounded arches which formed side chapels. There was one stained glass window for each side chapel and, again, above in the second level. I thought the gold mosaic dome with Mary and Child over the altar was eye catching as I walked into the church. In the side aisle chapels were the Renaissance altar screen, a crucified Christ (not a bloody body, but this one had a crown of thorns), and a well dressed Madonna and child with bejeweled crowns and gilt robes.

The church interior was greyish brick. As one entered the church there was a lovely gilt mosaic of St. Nicholas, the patron saint of seafarers. This mosaic was probably a homage to the original old church that used to stand on this spot before the Grimaldi's got casino money to build this replacement and dedicate it to Virgin Mary.

The cathedral is located on the Rock, not far from the Palace. Our visit was 20 minutes - basically a photo op.

Photos taken with iPhone 6s Plus.