Memorial plaque emphasises Menton’s historic ties with Monaco

Monaco marina

A memorial stone has been unveiled in Menton in homage to eight Monaco citizens who died in an epic naval encounter on October 7, 1571, the Battle of Lepanto, local French-Language daily Monaco Matin reports.

With the town of Menton still part of Monaco, a state of affairs that lasted until 1861, two ships from Monaco were part of the Catholic European fleet that won the sea battle with the Ottoman Turks, a victory of monumental historic importance.

In the presence of HSH Prince Albert, the Mayor of Menton, Jean-Claude Guibal, said at the unveiling ceremony on the recently refurbished Fontana Square: “They were eighteen men from Menton on the two galleys, the Capitoline and the Patrone, who took part in this monumental battle. The friendship between Menton and the Principality has continued since that time. It existed territorially. It continues today, emotionally, culturally and economically.”

For his part, Prince Albert described the confrontation with the Turkish forces “a clash of civilisations.”