With a local guide, Laetitia led a day trip from the ship around Monaco and environs. The establishment of Monaco occurred at the end of the thirteenth century when a political struggle between the Genovese Guelphs and Ghibellines ended with the Grimaldi family in control of the fortified monolith, now called the Rock of Monaco, on what is now the south coast of France.  The Grimaldi heirs (Princes) continue to preside over this small principality to this day.  The government of Monaco collects little in taxes from its residents, many of whom are wealthy.  Tourism and the casino at Monte Carlo provide funds for much of the support of the infrastructure.

If along France’s south coast you choose to go
‘Tis likely you’ll come upon Monaco
It’s not for the poor
It has big yacht’s galore
And the famous Casino Monte Carlo.

Galileo is not the native of Pisa to make important advances in mathematics and science.  In the twelfth century, Leonardo of Pisa (Leonardo Pisano) reintroduced decimal mathematics into medieval Europe and described the “golden ratio,” the mathematics underlying what is commonly known as the Fibonacci Spiral.  Laetitia apologizes for the tortured rhyme of the limerick.

Less known than Pisa’s Galileo
Is its son Leonardo Pisano,
“Fibonacci” by name
Of decimals fame
And the spiral based on the gold ratio.