| Monza | ||
 | ||
Coat of arms and flag   | ||
| State | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Lombardy | |
| Altitude | 162 m a.s.l. | |
| Inhabitants | 121.606 (2009) | |
| Name inhabitants | Monzesi | |
| Prefix tel | 39 039 | |
| POSTAL CODE | 20900 | |
| Time zone | UTC 1 | |
Position
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| Institutional website | ||
Monza is a city of Brianza, territory of the Lombardy
To know
The capital brianteo it presents important medieval testimonies: the gothic Cathedral with adjoining the Teodolinda Chapel, in which the Iron Crown and the thirteenth-century Arengario are preserved. However, the best known monument in Monza is undoubtedly the neoclassical Villa Reale built in the eighteenth century by Piermarini. A large park extends around the Villa, which houses the well-known racetrack, which hosts the Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix every year.
How to orient yourself
Monza: full screen map.Piazza Roma is the heart of Monza. The Arengario, the 13th century town hall, overlooks it. The Cathedral with the adjoining museum and treasure is located in the immediate vicinity.
Via Lambro begins from Piazza Duomo, the oldest in Monza surrounded by medieval houses. Following its route, you come close (coming out of the church) to the right side of the cathedral and meet the tower of Teodolinda from the 13th century but rebuilt in the 19th century. The street ends on the river near the Ponte dei Leoni of 1842, conceived as a monumental entrance in the center at the end of Via Vittorio Emanuele, opened in the same period.
A little further north another bridge crosses the Lambro, the San Gerardino bridge dating back to 1715, near the homonymous church dedicated to San Gerardo dei Tintori, one of the two patrons of Monza.
The 14th century church of Santa Maria in Strada is located on Via Italia, which starts from Piazza Roma, pointing south, while the church of San Pietro Martire is on Via Carlo Alberto.
How to get
By car
Monza is surrounded by 2 Milan ring roads, the EAST and the NORTH, a highway (A4) and a freeway, La Valassina (SS 36), which leads to Lecco. The exit on the EAST ring road is that of Monza / Concorezzo and it is advisable not to cross the Agrate barrier where the toll of 1.20 Euro is required. On the motorway section, the exit for Monza is Cinisello Balsamo / Sesto San Giovanni. The Valassina, on the other hand, allows three different exits. Monza Viale Elvezia (the closest to the Villa Reale), Monza Rondò and the Taccona.
On the train
Monza has two stations. The 'Monza station' which is the main station and the 'Monza suburbs station' where very few trains stop. The lines that pass through Monza are:
The adjacent stations are:
- Sesto San Giovanni, along the route to Milan
- Arcore, going towards Bergamo-Brescia or Lecco
- Lissone-Muggiò on the Como-Chiasso route
At these stations pass the trains of the Swiss railways and of Trenitalia. On the Trenitalia website it is possible to consult the timetables of the trains.
Monza station has two entrances, an old one on Piazza della Stazione and a new and recent one on Piazza Porta Castello. The only ticket office is located at the old entrance so, arriving from piazza porta castello, you have to completely cross the station.
By bus
Monza has some bus lines. A poor but functioning service is available at This Page[link not working] in which, by entering the street or square of destination, the line that passes through it is indicated. More information can be found on the website of the TPM[link previously not working], the company that deals with the management of the public service of Monza. The price of one ride is 0.90 euros. Here[link not working] A map of the bus lines in the municipality of Monza is available.
Other lines for various countries terminate or pass through Monza. You can consult the timetables on dedicated site[link not working] of the Lombardy region.
How to get around
What see
- 1 Arengario, Piazza Roma. The Arengario is a historic building located in the center of Monza; it is located in Piazza Roma, from which all the main streets of Monza branch off. The Arengario was the ancient Town Hall of the city of Monza and dates back to the 13th century. Built on the edge of the Pratum magnum that is the historic market square, it was the most important civil building in the city.
- The typology of the lower porticoed building (used in ancient times for the market) that supports the vast upper hall, once used for municipal councils and for the assemblies of merchants, refers directly to the example a little earlier in the Palazzo della Ragione in Milan (1228) (also called Broletto Nuovo) of Piazza Mercanti in Milan.
- A square bell tower was added in the mid-13th century.
- In the eighteenth century the large hall became the seat of the court and was connected to the Palazzo Pretorio, now disappeared, by a walkway on the west side. In the nineteenth century it was decided to demolish the building, an idea abandoned thanks to the project of the Engineer Villa who readjusted it as the seat of the Magistrates' Court.
- Starting from the 19th century, the building underwent several restorations and today the Arengario is used as an exhibition hall for art exhibitions and cultural reviews. It is accessed from the north side via a staircase located in the tower (there is no lift or stairlift).
2 Duomo, Piazza Duomo. The Duomo of Monza is a religious building elevated to the rank of minor basilica built between the fourteenth and seventeenth centuries. Located in the square of the same name in the center of the city, it is dedicated to San Giovanni Battista and is the seat of the parish of San Giovanni Battista in the Cathedral of Monza.
- In the Cathedral there is the famous Iron Crown, used for centuries for the coronation of the Kings of Italy, which, according to tradition, contains one of the nails used for the crucifixion of Christ. The Church recognizes the relic character of the crown, and for this very reason it is kept in the church (and not in the museum).
- The bell tower is the tallest building in the city and houses 8 bells, cast in 1741.
- The first church was built by Queen Teodolinda as the palatine chapel of her Royal Monzese Palace, the summer residence of the Lombard court. The queen had a magnificently decorated palace built with the exploits of the Lombards and next to the palace she subsequently founded a basilica dedicated to St. John the Baptist, endowing it with many gold and silver ornaments. Upon her death in 627, Teodolinda was buried inside the Basilica.
- Since 1300, various rebuilding and restoration interventions have taken place, which have enlarged and profoundly modified the building. The last restoration of the altar and facade was completed in August 2020.
- Church of San Gerardino.
- Church of San Pietro Martire.
- 3 Monza Park, via Cesare Battisti. The Monza Park, which is completely enclosed, includes: the racetrack, a golf course, a riding stable and an agricultural estate. Furthermore, since its crossing (except the Cavriga avenue which connects the gate of Monza and Villasanta) to motor vehicles is inhibited, it is ideal for jogging, sky-rolling, cycling or horseback riding.
- It is the fourth largest enclosed park in Europe and the largest surrounded by walls. It has an area of 688 hectares and is located north of the city, between the municipalities of Monza, Lesmo, Villasanta, Vedano al Lambro and Biassono. Together with the Royal Gardens, the Monza Park constitutes a complex of particular landscape, historical and architectural value, included in the larger regional park of the Lambro Valley. Since 1922 it has housed the Monza national racetrack, one of the most important and prestigious motor racing circuits in the world. Inside the park flows the Lambro river that creeps with waterfalls and peaceful mirrors, crossed by four bridges.
- The Royal Gardens surround the Royal Villa and are of considerable naturalistic and botanical interest. Inside there is a small lake, where volatile species such as mallards and swans find shelter.
- Monza park is full of buildings of architectural value, including historic farmhouses and mills. Among the most famous are the San Giorgio Mills, built in 1800, and now used as a livestock farm. There are free grazing animals (donkeys, ponies, cows, goats, pigs, peacocks, roosters and hens) and it is possible to buy milk produced by the cows of the same farm and organic yogurt directly from a distributor. It is a particularly suitable place for children.
- Inside the park there are also two artistic installations: Aviary for humans, by Giuliano Mauri, and The writer, by Giancarlo Neri.
- The park also hosts major events, such as Pope Francis' visit in 2017, which attracted around one million people, and concerts with internationally renowned guests.
- 4 Royal villa, Viale Brianza 1. The Royal Villa of Monza, also called Reggia di Monza, is a large neoclassical style palace built by the Habsburgs - as a private residence - during the Austrian domination of the 18th century, based on a project by the imperial architect Giuseppe Piermarini.
- The construction of the villa was commissioned by the Empress of Austria Maria Theresa of Habsburg. The construction commission was given in 1777 to the imperial architect Giuseppe Piermarini and was completed in just three years. Among the main models from which Piermarini took inspiration are the Schönbrunn Castle and the Royal Palace of Caserta of his master Vanvitelli. The extension is huge: 700 rooms for a total of 22,000 m².
- Subsequently, at the time of the Napoleonic Kingdom of Italy, it became the residence of the Viceroy and it was on this occasion that it took the name of "Villa Reale". In addition, the Viceroy commissioned his trusted architect Luigi Canonica to improve the Villa (such as the construction of the Court Theater) and requested the extension of the Villa complex and its Gardens through the construction of the vast enclosed park known today as Monza Park. In fact, it was precisely between 1807 and 1808 that the current 14 km long wall was built, using the demolition material of the ancient Visconti castle.
- After the fall of Napoleon in 1815, the Austrians returned to live in the Villa; Marshal Radetzky also settled there for a short time.
- With the end of the second war of independence (1859) the Royal Villa became the patrimony of the House of Savoy. In 1868 it was donated by Vittorio Emanuele II to his son, the future Umberto I on the occasion of his marriage to Margherita di Savoia. At the disposal of the Villa, for the royal house and its guests, in 1882 the nearby Royal Station was built on the new Monza-Chiasso railway line (extension of the Milan-Monza line of 1840).
- On 29 July 1900 Umberto I of Savoy was assassinated in Monza by Gaetano Bresci while he was attending a sporting event organized by the sports club "Forti e Liberi". Following the mournful event, the new King, Vittorio Emanuele III, no longer wanted to use the Royal Villa, making it close and transferring most of the furnishings to the Quirinale.
- In 1934 with Royal decree Vittorio Emanuele III donated a large part of the Villa to the associated Municipalities of Monza and Milan.
- After years of occupation and dispossession, with the advent of the Republic, the south wing has become a State heritage. The rest of the Villa Reale remained under the joint administration of the Municipalities of Monza and the Lombardy Region.
- Since 2014, after long restoration works, it is possible to visit the royal apartments of Umberto I and Margherita di Savoia which still retain part of the furnishings, as well as the reception rooms and other private apartments set up for the visit of the German Emperor William. II in 1889, for the Prince of Naples, future King Vittorio Emanuele III, and for the Duchess of Genoa, Elizabeth of Saxony, mother of Queen Margherita.
- Today the Villa, the Royal Gardens and the Park are managed by a single Consortium (Consorzio Villa Reale and Parco di Monza), of which the owners of the villa belong. Currently it hosts exhibitions, exhibitions and in one wing also the artistic high school of Monza.
Events and parties
Monza is world famous for hosting the Italian Grand Prix on the second Sunday of September. The circuit is located inside the park and, when no races or events are scheduled, anyone can ride the circuit with their car, without constraints on the car or its performance. We refer to official site of the Monza national racetrack for more information.
Monza-Resegone starts from Monza on the Saturday following the patronal feast of San Giovanni Battista (24 June): a free-pace, night and team foot race, organized by the Monzesi Alpinists Society of which we supply the link
There league for the fight against cancer organizes a non-competitive march every year around the first days of June, the proceeds of which are destined for the fight against cancer. It includes three possible routes, one of 5, one of 8 and one of 16 km. At the end, refreshments are offered, included in the ticket, costing about 5/8 Euros.Here there is more information on this.
Annually, on June 24, in conjunction with the patron saint of the city, San Giovanni Battista, a fireworks display is organized to the rhythm of music in the lawn of the Villa Reale or inside the Monza Park, which attracts thousands of people.
What to do
- Milan Golf Club (Monza Park). Monza hosts, in a large area of the Monza Park, the golf course which allows access only to members.
Shopping
How to have fun
Where to eat
Moderate prices
- McDonald's Monza San Fruttuoso, Viale Lombardia 175, ☎ 39 039 2725643.
Restaurant: Mon - Sun: 10:30 - 00:00; McDrive: Sun - Thu: 07:00 - 02:00; Fri - Sat: 07:00 - 04:00; McCafé: Mon - Sun: 07:00 - 00:00. - 1 Speedy Pub, ☎ 39 039 321663. Every day 12-15 and 19-01. Brewery and sandwich shop
- 2 Monzesi Butchers, via Lecco 152C, ☎ 39 039 2300230. Every day 12: 00-14.30 / 19: 00-23: 00. Hamburgeria and pizzeria
Restaurant: Mon - Sun: 10:30 - 00:00; McDrive: Sun - Thu: 07:00 - 02:00; Fri - Sat: 07:00 - 04:00; McCafé: Mon - Sun: 07:00 - 00:00.Average prices
- 1 The kitchen of Via Zucchi, Via Manzoni 42, ☎ 39 039 2300361. 12.00-14.30 / 19.00-23.00. Restaurant and pizzeria.
Where stay
High prices
- Region hotel.
- Monza hotels.
- Royal Falcone Hotel, Corso Milano 5, Monza.
Safety
How to keep in touch
Keep informed
Monza boasts two football teams, one male (the football association monza and brianza 1912[link not working]) and a female one, the Fiammamonza. The former plays home games at the Brianteo stadium on the outskirts of Monza, while Fiammamonza uses the old Sada stadium, near the historic center.
