THERE ARE MANY LINKS BETWEEN PORTUGAL AND MONACO, BUT THE UNDENIABLE PASSION FOR THE SEA MARKED THE CONNECTION BETWEEN PRINCE ALBERT I OF MONACO AND PORTUGAL – NAMELY, THANKS TO HIS OCEANOGRAPHIC VOYAGES ACROSS THE AZORES.
The interest in oceanography was reflected in Portugal in the person of King Carlos I, who, driven by his deep interest, carried out oceanographic expeditions along the coast of mainland Portugal.
Both were pioneers in the study of the sea, its fauna and flora, foreseeing, more than a century ago, all the potential of the oceans.
The vastness of the ocean, together with the complexity of its characteristics, motivated Prince Albert I of Monaco to perfect the methods of collection and analysis used in each oceanographic campaign. Under his management and direction, each campaign aimed to further the existing knowledge about aquatic species. In addition to capturing specimens, he also sought to identify and catalogue them, according to their geographical and bathymetric distribution.
King Carlos met Prince Albert I of Monaco at a very young age, during one of the Monegasque sovereign's visit to the Portuguese Royal Family. They discovered that they shared the same interests, namely a passion for the sea and nature, and so a budding friendship grew stronger over time.
The two monarchs exchanged scientific correspondence during their oceanographic campaigns, comparing the results they obtained and discussing technical issues, in a close collaboration that continued until the death of King Carlos.
During his oceanographic campaigns, Prince Albert I of Monaco sought to bring together a highly qualified and diverse scientific team that worked simultaneously on land and at sea. After being analysed and interpreted, all the collected items were annually deposited in the provisional premises of the Museum, later named Monaco Oceanographic Museum.
At the end of each campaign, its results were presented to the Paris Academy of Sciences. His studies covered a wide range of areas from the study of organisms, bacteria and phytoplankton to marine reptiles and mammals and all major groups of fauna predominant in oceanic environments.
As part of the commemorations marking the centennial of the death of Prince Albert of Monaco, the Maritime Museum, together with the Albert I Committee, will host the temporary exhibition 'The Oceanographer Friend – Albert I of Monaco and Portugal 1873 – 1920' from 15 October to 18 December 2022.