Over the coming weeks, the Monaco Government will offer those eager to learn more about the Principality’s newest neighbourhood, the eco-district of Mareterra, four exclusive opportunities to explore its vast public spaces. From a quartz-encrusted meditation zone to the gardens—each a masterpiece of green, urban planning—those on the guided tour experience will have a chance to discover the fascinating history, visionary design and ecological innovations that shaped this extraordinary development.
Boasting more than 800 trees and an astonishing 35,000 plants across 9,400 square metres of verdant landscaping, as well as five serene pools and a gently cascading channel, the look and feel of Mareterra is closely interwoven with the ecologically conscious and sustainable principles that guided the €2 billion project.
See more: Mareterra revealed: The story behind Monaco’s bold architecture
In a bid to showcase the finer details of the neighbourhood, the Monaco Government has announced that the Department of Urban Planning will be running a series of four guided tours of Mareterra. The first will take place on 26th February, followed by excursions on 5th, 12th and 19th March.
The goal of the tours is to show participants the extent of public offerings within the new neighbourhood, including the two striking attractions of the Blue Cave, an awe-inspiring space providing an unparalleled view inside a Jarlan caisson, and the Meditation Space, a place of tranquillity adorned with quartz, glass and metal that provides visitors with an environment conducive to reflection and serenity.
Mareterra is special not only for its beauty but also for its commitment to sustainability. The pioneering infrastructure includes an innovative irrigation basin that collects rainwater to nourish the lush greenery, as well as a stormwater reservoir designed to regulate runoff into the sea, mitigating environmental impact. This is but one of the elements of the design that will be explained in greater depth to participants of the tours, alongside many of the other challenges, innovative techniques and intricate craftsmanship that brought Mareterra to life.
Simply put, these walks are a unique opportunity to step behind the scenes of one of Monaco’s most ambitious projects and appreciate the expertise that transformed this vision into reality.
The tours will all begin at 2pm in the Place Princesse Gabriella, in front of Alexandre Calder’s striking Four Lances sculpture. For more information on how to sign up for a tour, click here.
Read related:
The mighty Mareterra: Prince Albert II inaugurates “his vision” of sustainable urban development
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Photo by Cassandra Tanti, Monaco Life