The history of the Grimaldi dynasty dates back to January 8, 1297. That's when Francois Grimaldi, disguised as a Franciscan monk, seized the fortress towering over the Monaco rock with his troops, in the port of Hercule.
The fifteenth century saw many of the foundations put in place that would ensure Monaco’s survival over the next 500 years — not only survival, but most importantly, recognition as an independent country. Monaco has always been surrounded by large powerful states.
