The day after the twinning ceremony between the municipalities of Monaco and Dolceacqua on Saturday 4 November, H.S.H. Prince Albert II visited Isolabona, Apricale and Perinaldo, small Italian municipalities located in Liguria and historically linked to His family.
This visit took place exactly five centuries and one day after the ceremony at which the trustees of these three villages swore their oaths to Augustin Grimaldi, Lord of Monaco and Bishop of Grasse.
In each of these Ligurian towns, H.S.H. the Prince unveiled a sign indicating that they belong to the network of "Grimaldi Historic Sites of Monaco", as well as the plaque commemorating His visit.
In Isolabona, the first village visited, the Sovereign, accompanied by the mayor, Mr Augusto Peitavino, visited the late medieval sanctuary of "Nostra Signora delle Grazie". Several years ago, Princess Grace had the opportunity to pay her respects here. A little later, during an official ceremony in the Piazza Martiri Liberta, the Prince and the Mayor spoke about the age-old links between Monaco and Isolabona.
H.S.H. the Prince then travelled to Apricale. After being welcomed by the Mayor, Mr Silvano Pisano, he visited the church of "Santa Maria degli Angeli" before proceeding to the "Piazza Vittorio Emanuelle II" to attend an official ceremony in the presence of the Italian authorities and the local population. The Monegasque delegation then continued on foot to the "Castello della Lucertola" for an archive presentation on the Sovereign Prince's ancestors.
In the afternoon, in Perinaldo, Prince Albert and the Mayor, Francesco Guglielmi, visited the "G.D.Cassini" Municipal Astronomical Observatory located inside the Town Hall. Later, after visiting the former home of Giovanni Domenico Cassini, the Prince and his delegation took part in an official ceremony held in the church of San Nicolo.
