His Serene Highness Prince Albert II joined representatives from Monaco and the Italian municipality of Dolceacqua on Tuesday, November 3, to celebrate three years of their official twinning agreement, renewing a relationship rooted in more than five centuries of shared history.
The anniversary gathering took place at Monaco’s newly renovated Exotic Gardens, bringing together Prince Albert, Monaco Mayor Georges Marsan and his Dolceacqua counterpart Fulvio Gazzola. Italy’s Ambassador to Monaco, Manuela Ruosi, and Monaco’s Ambassador to Italy, Anne Eastwood, were also among the guests.
The event provided an opportunity to review the initiatives developed since the partnership was formally established in November 2023, as well as to consider how cooperation between the neighbouring communities can continue to grow.
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A photographic retrospective highlighted activities organised over the past year, including cultural performances, walking excursions connecting the two towns, the Carugi in Fiore flower festival, celebrations of local wine and gastronomy, and events linked to Monaco’s Sainte-Dévote festivities.
The partnership has increasingly focused on bringing residents together rather than limiting cooperation to official exchanges between the two municipal administrations. Joint activities have also involved associations, families and younger generations, helping to develop closer connections between the communities.
Mayor Gazzola described the involvement of local people as one of the most important achievements of the twinning arrangement, highlighting the friendships and shared experiences created through its programme of events.
Prince Albert also praised the commitment shown by the elected representatives and encouraged both municipalities to continue developing their relationship.
Although the official twinning agreement dates back just three years, the historical connection between Monaco and Dolceacqua stretches back much further. Their links are associated with the historic relationship between the Grimaldi and Doria families, including a marriage in 1491 and the events surrounding a pledge of allegiance made in 1523.
Dolceacqua became Monaco’s third officially twinned municipality, following Ostend in Belgium and Lucciana in Corsica.
