Grimaldi Forum Monaco's Summer Exhibition Showcases the Magnificence and Grandeur of Royal Houses in Europe

MONACO, Jan. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- This summer the Grimaldi Forum, Monaco's largest and most versatile event space will showcase three centuries of historic European monarchies with The Magnificence and Grandeur of Royal Houses in Europe exhibition. From July 11 through September 11, 2011, this one-of-a-kind event will provide visitors with a unique glimpse into the imperial homes of Europe's most powerful and respected leaders and couples.

Never before seen as a collection, more than 600 artifacts will be on display within 2,500 square meters, providing a true "tour of Europe," which will allow visitors to explore the lives, roles and passions of personalities and couples who have marked the history of their dynasties and their countries.

"This is a truly priceless collection that provides a rare glimpse into the lives of history's most powerful monarchs, with special focus on legendary sovereign couples," said Hon. Maguy Maccario, Consul General and Director of the Monaco Government Tourist Office in New York.  "The exhibition comes to the Principality at a perfect time, as we celebrate the highly anticipated summer wedding of Prince Albert II to Ms. Charlene Wittstock in July." 

Royal houses featured in the exhibition include:  

• SAXONY:  Augustus the Strong, prince elector of Saxony
• PRUSSIA:  Frederick I , king of Prussia and Sophia Charlotte  of Hanover
• BAVARIA:  Ludwig I (Louis), king of Bavaria and Therese of Saxe
• AUSTRIA: Franz Joseph I and Elisabeth of Bavaria
• DENMARK: Christian IV, Christian IX and Louise of Hesse-Kassel
• SPAIN:  Philip V, king of Spain and Elisabeth Farnese
• TURIN: Victor Amadeus II, king of Sardinia
• PORTUGAL:  Louis I (Luis), king of Portugal and Maria Pia
• ENGLAND:  Queen Victoria and Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg
• BELGIUM:  Leopold I and Louise-Marie of France
• LUXEMBOURG: Charlotte, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg
• FRANCE:  Napoleon I, Emperor of the French and Josephine
• SWEDEN:  Gustav III and Sophia Magdalena of Denmark
• NORWAY:  Haakon VII, first king of Norway
• RUSSIA:  Alexander II  and Marie of Hesse and by Rhine
• THE NETHERLANDS: Queen Wilhelmina
• POLAND : John III Sobieski
• LIECHTENSTEIN:  Prince Joseph Wenzel of Liechtenstein 
• MONACO:   Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace

Enriched with portraits, sculptures, art objects, furniture, porcelain, gold and silver work, court costumes and jewelry, each section comes alive through spectacular scenography and the generous loans from the great European collections.  Documentary and historical films will also be played throughout the exhibition.  

For a limited time only specially priced advance purchase tickets (8 euros instead of 12 euros - prices will revert to 12 euros in the summertime) are now available at [email protected], the box office at 10 avenue Princesse Grace or via telephone +377-9999-3000 from Tuesday to Saturday between 12:00pm and 7:00pm. Monaco's largest and most versatile event space, the Grimaldi Forum Monaco is a captivating venue for meetings, conventions, exhibitions and galas.  In October 2008, it became one of the first European convention centers to obtain the ISO 14001 environmental management certification.  

Special vacation packages including tickets for The Magnificence and Grandeur of Royal Houses in Europe exhibition are available at www.MonacoAuction.com. US visitors can find excellent vacation value by bidding on exclusive packages at MonacoAuction.com, the premier online travel auction marketplace dedicated to luxury travel within the Principality.

For more information, please contact the Monaco Government Tourist Office (MGTO) at 565 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10017; phone (800) 753-9696 or (212) 286-3330; or via e-mail at [email protected]. Information and links are available via the Monaco Government Tourist Office web site at VisitMonaco.com. Follow us on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.

SOURCE Monaco Government Tourist Office, New York