The Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate

The cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate of Monaco

The Monaco audio-guided tour invites you to quiet contemplation before the cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate, the ecclesiastical centre of the Principality. Frequented by the princely family as much as by the inhabitants, it is a major place of faith, where the princes of Monaco rest.

A Romano-Byzantine cathedral

Erected under the reign of Charles III, between 1875 and 1903, in a Romano-Byzantine style, the cathedral succeeded the church of Saint-Nicolas. The latter had served the City-State and the diocese of Nice for six centuries, before their separation in 1868. After several years of waiting from its inauguration, the great building, seventy-two metres long, was finally consecrated, becoming the seat of the diocese of Monaco.

What there is to see

The interior, in light stone, houses a great altarpiece, a monumental organ and the tombs of the princes and princesses of Monaco, including those of Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace, before which visitors gather in contemplation. The sobriety and solemnity of the place invite silence. It is a high spiritual and historical place of the Rock, to be discovered with respect.

Practical information

The cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate stands on the Rock, in Monaco. An active place of worship, it is visited with respect for the contemplation of the faithful; access is generally free during opening hours, which may vary according to services and ceremonies. Appropriate dress is required.

When was the cathedral built?

Between 1875 and 1903, under the reign of Charles III, in a Romano-Byzantine style, replacing the former church of Saint-Nicolas.

Who rests in the cathedral?

The princes and princesses of Monaco, including Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace, are buried there.