Religious buildings in Monaco : Cathedral, Church, Places of worship

Cathédrale Notre-Dame-Immaculée de Monaco

Built in 1875 in Romanesque-Byzantine style, Monaco's Cathédrale Notre-Dame-Immaculée towers over the Rock. The burial place of the Princes of Monaco, including Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace, its interior houses a monumental organ, a Carrara marble high altar and a precious altarpiece by the painter Louis Bréa, dating from 1500. Spiritual concerts and religious services are held here throughout the year, particularly on the major liturgical feasts.

St Paul's Anglican Church

Situated in the Monte-Carlo district, this Anglican church , built in 1925, has a sober style and simple lines. Welcoming an international community, it offers services in English and numerous cultural events, including concerts.

Sainte-Dévote Church

Built in the 19th century on the site of a chapel in the Gaumates valley, this small church is a landmark for Monegasques. It is dedicated to the patron saint of Monaco and the Princely Family, Sainte-Dévote, celebrated every 27 January. The day before, one of the Principality's oldest traditions takes place on the church's forecourt: the setting ablaze of a boat, symbolising the martyrdom of the young Christian woman in 303 or 304.

Church of the Sacred Heart

In the Moneghetti district, the austere façade of the Church of the Sacred Heart , built between 1926 and 1929, conceals a sumptuous interior. Restored in 2013, it houses a vault finely decorated with paintings by the Italian artist Franzoni (1930) and a majestic Romanesque-symphonic organ, installed in 2016.

Saint-Charles Church

Its bell tower rises to a height of 30 metres, right in the heart of Monte-Carlo. Inaugurated in 1883, at the time of the development of this district initiated by Prince Charles III, Saint-Charles Church is in Renaissance style. It was designed by the same architect as Monaco Cathedral, Charles Lenormand. Notable features include the two statues framing the entrance, representing Saint-Charles Borromeo, to whom it is dedicated, and Saint Laurent, as well as the 19 stained-glass windows illuminating the nave.

Saint Nicolas Church

Inaugurated in 1989 by H.S.H. Prince Rainier III, the Church of Saint Nicolas is one of Monaco's most recent religious buildings. Bordered by a peaceful square and a fountain, it is located in the Fontvieille district. Its architecture is distinguished by its modern Ligurian-style lines and the glazed-tile dome topping the bell tower. The choir preserves the baptistery of Monaco's former cathedral, also dedicated to Saint Nicolas, which was destroyed in 1873.

Monaco's other places of worship

Numerous chapels are dotted around Monaco, including the Chapelle de la Miséricorde in Monaco-Ville, or the modern Église Saint-Martin with its contemporary stained-glass windows in the Moneghetti district.

A cosmopolitan territory with several religious communities, the Principality also boasts many other places of worship. Monaco's Orthodox community can be found in the Sainte-Hélène parish parish, part of the Russian Orthodox Church outside the Principality. Its services are held in an area of St Paul's Anglican Church.

Services of the Reformed Church of Monaco are held in the Protestant temple located in the La Condamine district. It was built in 1959 on the initiative of a Swiss industrialist, Adam Oser. The sober building, with its minimalist lines, houses a Tamburini organ and stained glass windows with geometric motifs.

The same building also houses the services of the Russian Orthodox parish of the Holy Royal Martyrs which is part of the Chersonese diocese.

Inaugurated in 2017, the Edmond J. Safra Synagogue is located in the Monte-Carlo district. The circular Jerusalem stone building was designed to resemble the synagogue of the same name in Manhattan. It is home to a small Sephardic and Ashkenazi community.