Located in Monaco, Monte Carlo's luxurious harbour, Port Hercules, is the playground of the rich and famous. It attracts some of the world's most amazing superyachts - such as Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko’s £360 million superyacht, which is the world's most expensive boat, with masts taller than Big Ben! As the famous London landmark Big Ben stands a mighty 96 metres tall, this should give you a fair idea of the opulence of some of the superyachts that visit the legendary harbour!

Originally a trading port used by the ancient Greeks and Romans, it was the only deep water port on the French Riviera.

History

Located in the La Condamine district, the port was a stop-over point for the Roman army and was under the control of the Roman Republic. Historians say Julius Caesar himself stopped off there in 50BC. Archaeological discoveries, including pottery, reveal the type of trading that took place in Monaco from 300BC.

Dating back to the fourth century, coins have been uncovered from Cyprus, Marseille, Peloponnesos and Syracuse. This confirms its status as a major trading port of the Mediterranean.

In the early 20th century, work began to transform the port into the modern structure it is today. The initial refurbishment was completed in 1926 and further substantial improvements were carried out in the 1970s, on the orders of HRH Prince Rainier III.

Major refurbishment

Scientific studies were carried out beforehand to ascertain how to protect the harbour and its visitors from the elements. The resulting new sea wall and lee breakwater, placed in front of the two existing piers, provide complete protection.

The sea wall structure is a colossal 352 metres long and weighs 160,000 tonnes. It is unique in that it is semi-floating to help conserve the marine fauna and flora. In order to install the sea wall, it had to be towed to Monte Carlo and moored at the base of the rock. The lee breakwater is 145 metres long.

The sheer size of the new structure makes it possible for the harbour to welcome even major cruise ships that are up to 300 metres long. Providing anchorage for up to 700 boats, the port spans around 40 acres.

Following the death of HRH Prince Rainier III in 2005, his son, HRH Prince Albert II, carried on the work that his father began to make the port the most modern marina in the Mediterranean. Luxurious yachts can be found there and it is a haven for ocean cruising.

Credit: Wikipedia

World's most expensive yacht

Billionaire Andrey Melnichenko’s £360 million, 468ft long superyacht - which was rather unimaginatively named Sailing Yacht A by its owner - has been spotted at Monte Carlo's harbour. It was cruising alongside Melnichenko's second superyacht - called Motor Yacht A - itself a £240 million vessel.

Sailing Yacht A lives up to its price tag, according to project director Dirk Kloosterman, who was in charge of her construction. The yacht, designed by Philippe Starck, was described as "breathtaking" by Mr Kloosterman.

He said building the vessel had been his most challenging assignment yet, with Sailing Yacht A becoming the "world's greatest yacht" in terms of technology and design. The craft attracts attention wherever she's moored on Mr Melnichenko's travels around the world.

As a Russian industrialist and co-founder of MDM Bank, the billionaire whose net worth is believed to be £10.8 billion, is just one of the many wealthy visitors who moor their yachts at the famous harbour.

Annual events

The annual Monaco Yacht Show attracts some of the most luxurious and expensive yachts on the planet. These include the 157ft motor yacht Andiamo, which has six state rooms created by Francesco Paszkowski Design, 350 square metres of living space, a 140-metre sundeck with a swimming pool, and an alfresco bar and dining area complete with barbecue.

The most exclusive motor racing event in the world, the annual Monaco F1 Grand Prix, attracts around 170 superyachts every year. The sight of them being moored in the harbour is as compelling as the F1 cars lined up on the grid.

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