Sainte-Dévote Chapel, Monte-Carlo

Sainte-Dévote Chapel is a Roman Catholic church nestled on the first corner of the Monaco GP circuit, overlooking the harbour. The temple is dedicated to Devota (Dévote), the patron saint of Monaco, and is one of the most venerated religious sites in the area, attributed with miraculous powers.

According to local legend, partially supported by 17th-18th-century documents, Devota was a young Christian woman from Corsica, who was ruthlessly murdered for her faith by Roman rulers circa 303 AD. Legend has it that her body arrived in a small boat that was bound for Africa but accidentally, or perhaps through divine intervention, was diverted to the Monegasque shore by a changed headwind.

The original church on the site, which is currently occupied by the Chapel of Relics and is “propped up” by the wall of Vallon des Gaumates, was part of the Saint-Pons abbey. The first mention of it dates back to 1070. In 1870, a 15-meter bell tower was built. Later on, between 1885 and 1891, the Sainte-Dévote was further remodelled by architect Charles Lenormand who gave it a new, 18th-century Neo-Greek style façade. The stained glass windows, works of Maison Nicolas Lorin of Chartres, were seriously damaged during WWII bombing in August 1944. Some of them, including the one depicting Saint Dévote, were restored in 1948 by Maison Fassi Cadet of Nice.

Today, in keeping with a local tradition, after the royal wedding, the bride of the Sovereign Prince leaves her bridal bouquet at the chapel. Inside the place is remarkably peaceful and quiet, a stark contrast to the outside noise. The interior of the church is ornate and very tasteful.

Why You Should Visit:
Open at any time of the day and free to enter, this church overwhelms with its serenity and the quietness, especially after leaving the noisy city streets.

Tip:
Behind the chapel, you can follow the path through a series of steps literally carved into the rock cliff to get to the upper side of town (or use the lifts of the train station if feeling less adventurous).