The fascinating Monza is the largest center of Brianza, a city with an incomparable historical and artistic heritage, former Celtic settlement, later Roman when after its foundation it took the name of Maguntia or Modicia, Longobards and Franks and with the Habsburgs who decided to build the majestic and refined Royal Villa at the request of Empress Maria Theresa of Austria.
You can start the visit in front of the House of the former Humiliati , a beautiful building built in the 15th century that today houses the Civic Museums, a museum space containing large paintings ranging from the 16th to the 20th century, numerous archaeological finds from the Bronze Age and many others from the Middle Ages.
You can continue visiting the beautiful cloister developed in Renaissance style on two sides of a large courtyard characterized by round arches with capitals. A short distance away we will stop in front of the Church of Santa Maria al Carrobiolo, an attractive ecclesiastical building of the 16th century with the adjoining Convent of the Barnabites.
In a few minutes you can reach the Cathedral which, together with the square of the same name is unquestionably identified as the emblem of Monza. It’s the place where the political and religious life of a nucleus was born that was already highly developed in the Lombard era and which gave rise to the famous "Oraculum" of Queen Teodolinda in the 6th century.
The medieval borgo had a considerable expansion as well as the Cathedral which from 1300 was enormously enlarged on a large basilica plan with the insertion of various side chapels, an architectural masterpiece by the great master Matteo da Campione who gave a wonderful image to the winding façade, a masterful work with superlative Gothic lines.
Once there you can admire the extraordinary layout with splendid marble beams in green and white shades, mullioned windows, fine aedicules and hanging arches. All elements were placed with extreme geometric criteria as well as the various spires, aedicules and the magnificent rose window absolute protagonist in the middle overlooking a splendid portal. The magnificent construction of the imposing bell tower is due to Ercole Turati who began the great works in 1592.
Visiting the interior where you will admire how many illustrious artists came to Monza to decorate this medieval jewel namely Borroni, Carloni, Arcimboldo, Legnanino, and Pellegrino Tibaldi who gave a new arrangement to the beautiful choir placed above a large crypt. On the left side of the main altar you can see the beautiful wall paintings of the Zavattari, works of the highest school considered among the greatest of the 15th century Gothic in the world, representing honors, respect and tributes to the Queen.
Continuation with the visit the Queen's Chapel containing the remains of Teodolinda and the legendary Iron Crown that belonged to the Lombards that among legends, narratives and even mysticism has conquered millions of people curious to admire it, others to deepen their studies, a jewel of refined goldsmithing that is said to contain inside one of the nails of the cross of Christ and used to crown various Kings and Emperors including Charlemagne, Frederick Barbarossa and Napoleon Bonaparte.
Afterwards do not miss to visit the Museum of the Treasure of the Cathedral which preserves an extraordinary collection of Lombard and Late Antique goldsmithing in which the famous Hen with Chicks stands out next to the incomparable treasures of the Lombard era with the Cross and Crown of Theodolinda, the Cross of Agilulfo, various objects of sacred art, paintings dating back to the medieval and Renaissance periods and sculptures.
Your visit can continue reaching Via Lambro where you can see the Medieval Tower, erected in the 13th century as a defensive bastion but then acting as a commercial transit gate along the so called salt road and then continue towards the historic bridge of Monza over the river Lambro the so called Bridge of the Lions, built in 1842 on the remains of the Roman Bridge of Arena embellished with four marble lions by the sculptor Tandardini.
In a short time you will be in front of the Arengario, a beautiful medieval building of the 13th century that was originally the Palazzo Comunale highlighted by five arches developed on the main façade that form a large portico and respective windows located on the upper floor with a soaring crenellated raised behind the main body. This historic site now serves as a venue for events, exhibitions meetings and nearby is the curious Fountain of the Frogs.
A short distance away, through Via Italia you can reach the Church of Santa Maria in Strada, an extraordinary example of Lombard Gothic architecture begun in 1348 and completed nine years later highlighted by a fine gabled façade in red brick and a very creative development of the elements with geometric shapes, refined decorations and horizontal lines separated by cornices. After that you will reach Piazza Trento Trieste where the War Memorial stands out in its center and it is also the place of a lively market.
After this historic-cultural visit it’s time for your lunch, the area of Brianza boasts a delicious cuisine, you can have a delightful starter with slices of Salame Brianza with crostini, as first courses very suggested is the traditional Risotto with Luganiga or in alternative Pennette with Basil and Melted Butter. As second courses try Veal with Tuna Sauce with Seasonal Vegetables or Chicken in Walnut Sauce with Rosemary Potatoes.
After your lunch if you want to continue to visit Monza area go in the direction of the Monza Park known for being the home of the Formula 1 circuit and also to admire the beautiful Villa Reale built in the 18th century according to the project of the architect Giuseppe Piermarini at the behest of the Empress Maria Theresa of Austria who wished to use it as a summer residence, majestic residence in neoclassical style with inspirations from the famous Royal Palace of Caserta and partial of the Palace of Versailles.
The visit can finish here and sure you will be delighted about this city which offers an inmense historic, artistic and cultural patrimony all to remember.
Link : https://www.comune.monza.it/it/
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