The Modern Monarchy of Monaco|五光十色的摩纳哥

The Modern Monarchy of Monaco

by William Ryan

The glitzy playground of the rich and famous had humble beginnings.

　　Surrounded by the fabled French Riviera and the Mediterranean Sea, Monaco has a colorful history and it is most often recounted from the ascent of its most important family. In 1297, Francois Grimaldi disguised himself as a monk and seized the fortress of Monaco from a rival Italian faction. He led his small army to a daring victory and reclaimed Monaco for the pope. It flourished and prospered for the next few hundred years, both as an important maritime port and a strategic naval base for constantly competing European military powers. The French Revolution from 1789 to 1799 brought death and imprisonment to European royalty everywhere and Monaco was annexed by France. The Grimaldi supremacy seemed finished, but the defeat of Napoleon in 1814 ended French control and restored Grimaldi rule.

　　The next milestone in Monaco's history occurred in 1861. In that year, Prince Charles III exchanged half of Monaco's territory for cash and independence from France, resulting in the loss of most of the principality's natural resources, so a new economic base was needed. The solution would be the introduction of tourism and gambling and, eventually, the development of the glamorous Monte Carlo district. In 1949, Prince Rainier III ascended the throne. His marriage in 1956 to American actress Grace Kelly was a grand televised event that for the first time focused much of the world's attention on Monaco.

　　The celebrated playground of the rich and famous attracts a wide array of well-heeled visitors to its world–class hotels, spas, and legendary gaming tables. Tourism is one of Monaco's main sources of income and this tiny principality has long been an international center for opera, ballet, music, and theater. The Formula One Grand Prix and Tennis Masters tournament held there are famous the world over.

 

五光十色的摩纳哥

五光十色的富贵名流度假胜地却有着不起眼的开端。

　　摩纳哥是由知名的法国蔚蓝海岸和地中海所包围，它拥有一段多彩多姿的历史，而这通常要从该国最重要家族的崛起开始讲起。1297 年，弗朗索‧格里马尔迪乔装成修道士，从对手意大利的派系斗争中夺下摩纳哥的堡垒。他带领他的小型军队赢得了一场英勇的胜利，并为教宗重新取得摩纳哥的统治权。摩纳哥在接下来数百年都发展得相当蓬勃而繁荣，该国是一个重要的海运港口，也是欧洲军事强国不断争夺的海军战略基地。1789 年到 1799 年的法国大革命为欧洲各地的皇室成员带来了死亡和监禁，而摩纳哥则遭到了法国的并吞。格里马尔迪家族的统治看似结束了，但拿破仑在 1814 年的败仗终止了法国对摩纳哥的控制，也恢复了格里马尔迪家族的统治。

　　摩纳哥历史上的下一个重大事件发生于 1861 年。那一年，查尔斯王子三世将摩纳哥一半的领土拿来换取现金并且从法国独立，这导致了这个公国（编按：公国指的是由国王赐封给公爵管辖的领地）丧失了大部份自然资源，因此该国需要一个新的经济基础。解决方案便是引进旅游业、赌博业，以及最后发展出来的迷人的蒙地卡罗区。1949 年，雷尼尔王子三世登基。1956 年，他与美国女演员葛莉丝‧凯莉的婚姻受到盛大的电视转播，这让摩纳哥首次成为世界各地瞩目的焦点。

　　摩纳哥这个专供富人及名人玩乐的著名胜地吸引了许多相当富有的游客前往其世界级的饭店、水疗中心，以及相当著名的赌场。旅游业是摩纳哥的主要收入来源之一，这个小公国长久以来都是歌剧、芭蕾、音乐和戏剧的国际中心。在此举办的一级方程式赛车和网球大师锦标赛也是世界知名的。