'There be dragons ...' in the Casino Gardens

'It does not do to leave a live dragon out of your calculations, if you live near him.'

~ J. R. R. Tolkien

Marilyn and the Eiffel Tower

What's a tee-shirt of Marilyn Monroe and the Eiffel Tower doing on sale in Monaco? Anyway it's yours for 17 euros.

A Fringe of Green

One of the many beautiful trees in the Casino Gardens.

Chapel de la Miséricorde - the Painter

We are back outside the Chapel de la Miséricorde where the walls outside are still being painted. Remember this man and his shadow? I love watching artisans work - the concentration and attention to detail is evident in the expression on his face.

Chapel de la Miséricorde - the Lamps

Our last day inside the beautiful Chapel de la Miséricorde on le rocher.  Here are some beautiful lamps tucked away behind the altar.

Happy Sunday everyone! Pouring with rain here and probably snowing higher up in the hills ...

Chapel de la Miséricorde - Simplicity

As you see, no pews in the Chapel de la Miséricorde - just simple wooden chairs and a sculpture of Christ in a silk-lined glass case.

Chapel de la Miséricorde - the Crosses

A similar shot to yesterday except this shows off the row of simple crosses to be found at the back of the altar. These would be used during the procession of the penitents.

Chapel de la Miséricorde - the Painting

Walk behind the altar in the Chapel de la Miséricorde and this is what you find.

Chapel de la Miséricorde - Beauty

Another beautiful sculpture in the Chapel de la Miséricorde.  I wish I knew the story of this sculpture - perhaps someone does?

Chapel de la Miséricorde - the Golden Lady

This gold sculpture is one of many objets d'art in the Chapel de la Miséricorde.

Chapel de la Miséricorde - the Beauty Inside

The Chapel de la Miséricorde on le rocher was completed in 1646.  25% of the population had died of the plague in 1631 with the last death on the 21st November which is the day of the Feast of Our Lady.  In recognition of this, Prince Honoré II  decreed that on the eve of Good Friday each year a procession of penitents, made up of local residents, should set off from the chapel.

These photos were taken with a 50mm lens but I'll  go back one day with a wide-angle. It's a truly beautiful chapel.

More tomorrow ...

Chapel de la Miséricorde - the Painter's Shadow

This man, along with his shadow,  is painting the outside of a chapel on the rocher.

Come to think of it,  I can feel a little series coming on. So we'll start with the outside before going in.  This is the Chapel de la Miséricorde on Rue Ptincess Marie de Lorraine. It's one of the oldest buildings in the Principality and was completed in 1646.

More tomorrow ...

Tipsy Building

A view of the side of the Oceanographic Museum and gthe beautiful lamps that lead the eye to the sea.

I was standing slightly off centre so although the horizon is straight, the building appears to tip slightly - or should I blame the building and say that perhaps it had had a glass of vino too many ... ?

The Chocolate Shop

A reflection in the door of Monaco's chocolate shop on le rocher. 

You'll have to imagine the chocolates!

Passageway on le rocher

One of the narrow passageways that cut through from one small street to another on le rocher. 

Phone call at the Ice cream Bar

This is an ice-cream bar on le rocher.  The lady was so intent on her telephone call she didn't notice me.  The man behind the bar did - but then got on with his work. 

Talking on a portable telephone makes us oblivious to the world, doesn't it?

Rue des Remparts

This is Rue des Remparts on le rocher.  Behind us is the palace and below us, way below to the left is Port Hercule. Pretty street, isn't it?

Style

Even the guys working on a building site on le rocher wear Dolce & Gabbana sweatshirts ...

Viewed from the Rock

This photo was taken from le rocher, right by the Oceanographic Museum - looking towards the port and buildings of Fontvieille. Click on the link to see where I am.

Fighting the Plastic

This guy looks like he's having a fight with the plastic cover that protects this restaurant terrace on le rocher.