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Eglise Sainte-Devote

Church to honour the patron saint of Monaco

featured in Sights & Sites

Sainte-Dévote is the patron saint of the Principality of Monaco.

In the very early 4th century, in Corsica (which was a Roman province at that time) the Roman governor, Diocletian, ordered the great persecution of the Christians.

A young Christian, Devote, was arrested, imprisoned and tortured. She died without denying her faith. After her death, the governor of the province ordered for her body to be burnt, but the Christians saved her body and placed it on a boat bound for Africa, where they believed she would receive a proper Christian burial. When a storm struck it is said that a white dove flew from her mouth and guided the boat to Monaco.

This church is built on the site where a storm-struck ship carrying Dévote's body docked in Monaco. The small church dates back to 1870, further refurbished in 1891 in a Neo-Greek style.

How to get passes

Entry to the church is free.

Location

Map of the surrounding area