Rock of Monaco Rock of Monaco The Rock of Monaco () is a tall monolith on the Mediterranean coast of the Principality of Monaco. It overlooks the Mediterranean Sea and the port. The Rock has been a coveted possession from the beginning of the ancient Massilian colony of Monoïkos (Greek: Μόνοικος), named for the Ligurian tribes who occupied the area and vied for control of it; even earlier, it was a shelter for primitive populations. The Rock of Monaco was also the first conquest of the Grimaldi dynasty, the rulers of the country for more than 700 years, founded when the Guelf Francesco
Jacques I, Prince of Monaco Jacques I, Prince of Monaco Jacques Goÿon de Matignon (Jacques François Léonor; 21 November 1689 – 23 April 1751) was Count of Thorigny, Prince of Monaco as Jacques I, and the fourth Duke of Valentinois from 1731 until 1733. Jacques came from an ancient Norman family. "Thorigny" is now called Torigni-sur-Vire, where the "Mairie" is the former family chateau. His uncle was Marshal Charles Auguste de Goÿon de Matignon. He was a son of Jacques Goÿon de Matignon, "jure uxoris" Comte de Thorigny, and Charlotte Goyon de Matignon, Comtesse de Thorigny "suo jure". When Antonio I of Monaco and his