Genoese foundations

The western Roman Empire fell in the 5th century. Activity in Monaco’s port then diminished considerably. The inhabitants sought refuge in the uplands, in La Turbie.

As of 1162, the suzerainty of the municipality of Genoa, which was part of the Romano-Germanic empire, spread as far as Monaco. The emperor Frederick I Barbarossa wanted to ensure the success of Genoa’s fleet by making the following concession: “We grant and give [...] military jurisdiction over the entire coastal area between Porto Venere to Monaco to the consuls and the municipality of Genoa, while maintaining the rights of the counts or marquis.”
-Frederick I Barbarossa (1122-1190, emperor from 1152 to 1190), 9 June 1162 (translated by Claude Passet).

1215: Building of the fortress

The Genoese built a fortress on the site where the current Palace is located, they then built another fortress, called Château-Neuf, on the site where the current Visual Arts College is located (Bosio pavilion).