Prince’s Palace of Monaco: Juxtaposition of Medieval and Classical Styles

In this installment of ‘Larger Than Life: Architecture Through the Ages,’ we visit an immense fortress-like royal residence with distinct design details.

The watch towers and keeps of the original Monaco fortress loom large against a backdrop of rock. The castle's narrow and tall loop or arched windows denote medieval origins and contrasts with the later 16th-century Italian Renaissance designs. These additions are indicated by the more symmetrical palace sections that feature lengthy "arcades," or contiguous arched exterior passageways. Atop the arcade is a second-floor veranda supported by multiple columns. Phillip Minnis/Shutterstock

What is now referred to as the Prince’s Palace of Monaco began as a characteristic medieval fortification perched conspicuously on the Rocher de Monaco, or Rock of Monaco, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. From 1191 to the 1500s, the structure’s architecture was indicative of a castle design, with battlements sporting machicolation openings between supporting corbels, watchtowers, keeps, and arched or slit windows.

However, when the sovereign city-state in Western Europe determined the fortress needed to become the sumptuous royal residence, a section was transformed . It was architecturally renovated to reflect primarily Italian Renaissance style, which is based on classical Roman design elements. Highly embellished baroque influences were added as well.