Description of the attraction
Monza is one of the largest cities in the Italian region of Lombardy, the center of the province of Monza and Brianza, standing on the banks of the Lambro River. The first mention of the village of Moditsia dates back to the 6th century, when a palace was built here by order of the Lombard Queen Theodelinda and a monastery was founded. During the Middle Ages, Monza gained independence from Milan for some time, but during the Italian Wars, the city, besieged several times, was ravaged by the troops of Charles V. In 1900, it was here that King Umberto I died - in memory of the tragic event was built The atoning chapel. Today Monza is known as one of the cities of Formula 1.
Of the sights of Monza, first of all, it is worth noting the Cathedral of San Giovanni Battista, which was founded in the 6th century by the order of the same Teodelinda. The construction of the current building began in the 14th century on the initiative of the Visconti family and was completed only in 1741. The cathedral has a green and white façade and a 16th-century bell tower, while the interior houses the iron crown of Lombardy, which was crowned by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1805. In general, many medieval churches and chapels in the characteristic Lombard Gothic style have survived in Monza - for example, the Church of Santa Maria in Strada with a magnificent terracotta facade.
Another attraction of Monza is the Royal Villa, built in the classicism style at the end of the 18th century by the architect Giuseppe Piermarini for the Austrian Archduke Ferdinand. Today the villa has been converted into a cultural venue. Finally, the 13th century Town Hall with a huge tower is worth seeing. And the Capitular Library houses a collection of medieval manuscripts, including a 7th century letter from Pope Gregory to Queen Theodelinde.
There are also places for walking in Monza - for example, the Monza Park and the gardens of the Royal Villa. The historic park is considered one of the largest walled in Europe - it spreads over an area of 685 hectares in the northern part of the city.
