Monte Carlo is the most famous district of Monaco; in its heart, there is the eponymous casino, considered the most luxurious gambling house in the world for decades. This casino has long ceased to be regarded as a usual casino, becoming an actual architectural monument and landmark steeped in history.
Monte Carlo Casino History
The first gambling establishment in Monaco was built in 1856. However, by the end of 1957, it was closed. The reason was simple - it was very inconvenient to reach. Later the road was built, and in 1863 Casino des Spélugues was opened; it had only one room. But in a few months, a visitor won fifty thousand francs the casino could not pay, so the casino passed into his hands.
It is unknown what his fate would have been if businessman Francois Blanc got the casino for fifty years. He arrived in Monaco with his wife Marie and the dealer group. Blanc hired the best architects and artists of the time, among which there was the famous Charles Garnier, the creator of the Paris Opera building. Working on the architecture of the building, he mixed several styles and achieved remarkable results.
- The first game room was finished in 1878.
- The main facade, sponsored by the French architect Jules Ace, was completed in 1890. Then the casino had electricity.
- New casino buildings appeared in 1882, 1890, 1897, and 1988. In 1931, the casino Monte Carlo first had slots.
Casino visitors had such famous personalities as Alexandre Dumas, Baron Rothschild, Napoleon, Sarah Bernhardt, Chaliapin, and Caruso. Its history is full of not only legends but also incredible events confirmed by many witnesses.
- On Casinoz, we wrote about Charles Wells, who managed to "break the bank" in the gambling house and glorified it to the whole world.
- Another widely known story is about a guy from South Africa who played roulette, betting the psalm that he had previously heard in the Anglican Church, and won. This caused a wave of followers of this betting method, so the local pastors stopped singing psalms with numbers below thirty-six.
- Another story is about the Russian captain who threatened to shoot the casino with the guns after losing the ship's treasury roulette. According to one version, he returned the money, on the other - he escaped.
Therefore, visiting the Monte Carlo casino, Players do not just come to try their luck. They are attracted to the opportunity to touch history and perhaps write their name on its pages.
Monte Carlo Casino Design
Monte Carlo has unique in its splendor halls. Visitors first enter the spacious foyer with grand columns called l'Atrium. Hence, they can get into la Salle Garnier (Garnier Hall), named after the architect-creator. Here is l'Opera Monte-Carlo (Monte Carlo Opera), where the best artists in the world performed. The Opera Hall dazzles with gilded statues, reliefs, paintings, lamps, and other pompous decorations.
Other halls of Monte Carlo casino are a pink and white living room, lounge Europe, Renaissance hall, lounge American Games, the Palm Room, and others. They have gaming tables (roulette, poker, blackjack, baccarat, and others). All of them are decorated with incredible luxury.
In front of the casino, there are beautiful lawns, flower beds, sun terraces in front of the casino, and a fantastic park reaching the mountains around it.
Gambling in Monte Carlo Casino
To enter the Monte Carlo casino, you should pay ten euros. Photographing and videotaping in the walls of the casino are prohibited. There is a strict dress code in some halls so that you can get there only in evening clothing. If you are young, be prepared to present a document certifying that you have reached the age of majority.
Monte Carlo, as well as other gambling houses in Monaco, belongs to the "Society of sea bathing." Its annual turnover is several hundred million euros.
Trying to convey in words the atmosphere reigning in the casino with nearly 150 years of history is meaningless. It can be felt only directly in this casino that annually welcomes tens of thousands of players.
