From top, left to right: Royal Villa of Monza; Monza Cathedral; Monumento ai Caduti; Expiatory Chapel of Monza; Arengario; Monza Circuit; and Monza Park
On 11 June 2004, Monza was designated the capital of the new province of Monza and Brianza. The new administrative arrangement came fully into effect in summer 2009; previously, Monza was acomune within theprovince of Milan. Monza is the third-largest city of Lombardy and is the most important economic, industrial and administrative centre of theBrianza area, supporting a textile industry and a publishing trade. Monza also hosts a department of theUniversity of Milano-Bicocca, a Court of Justice and several offices of regional administration.Monza Park is one of the largest urban parks in Europe.
Monza is located in the high plains ofLombardy, betweenBrianza andMilan, at an altitude of 162 metres (531 feet)above sea level. It is 15 kilometres (9 mi) from the centre of the region's capital, although when considering the cities borders, they are separated by less than 5 km (3 miles). Monza is about 40 km (25 mi) fromLecco andComo. Monza shares its position with Milan in the same metro area, and is a big part of its new province.
Monza is crossed from north to south by theLambro. The river enters Monza from the north, between Via Aliprandi and Via Zanzi streets. This is an artificial fork of the river created for defensive purposes in the early decades of the 14th century. The fork is known as Lambretto and it rejoins the main course of the Lambro as it exits to the south, leaving Monza through the now-demolished ancient circle of medieval walls. Another artificial stream is theCanale Villoresi, which was constructed in the late 19th century.
Monza has a typical submediterranean climate of thePo valley, with cool, short winters and warm summers; temperatures are very similar to nearbyMilan, averaging 2 °C (36 °F) in January, the coldest month, to about 23 °C (73 °F) in July, the warmest.[6] Precipitation is abundant, with most occurring in the autumn and the least in winter and summer; despite this, the city and surrounding area usually does not suffer drought in any season.
Funeraryurns found in the late 19th century show that humans were in the area dating at the least to theBronze Age, when people would have lived inpile dwelling settlements raised above the rivers and marshes.
During theRoman Empire, Monza was known asModicia. During the 3rd centuryBCE, theRomans subdued theInsubres, aGaul tribe that had crossed theAlps and settled aroundMediolanum (now Milan). A Gallo-Celtic tribe, perhaps the Insubres themselves, founded a village on the Lambro. The ruins of a Roman bridge namedPonte d'Arena can be seen near today'sPonte dei Leoni (Lions Bridge).
Theodelinda, daughter ofGaribald I of Bavaria and wife of theLombard kingAuthari (and later of kingAgilulf), chose Monza as her summer residence. Here in 595 she founded anoraculum dedicated to St. John the Baptist. According to the legend, Theodelinda, asleep while her husband was hunting, saw a dove in a dream that told her:modo (Latin for "here") indicating that she should build the oraculum in that place, and the queen answeredetiam, meaning "yes". According to this legend, the medieval name of Monza, "Modoetia", is derived from these two words. She also had a palace (the future Royal palace) built here.
Berengar I of Italy (850–924) located his headquarters in Monza. A fortifiedcastrum was constructed to resist the incursions of the Hungarians. Under Berengar's reign, Monza enjoyed a certain degree of independence: it had its own system of weights and measures, and could also seize property and mark the deeds with their signatures. Berengar was very generous evident by the donation of numerous works to the Monza Cathedral, including the famous cross, and by giving large benefits to its 32 canons and other churches.
In 980 Monza hosted EmperorOtto II inside the walled city. The Glossary of Monza, one of the earliest examples of the evolution of theLombard language, probably dates to the early 10th century. In 1000 EmperorOtto III became the protector of Monza and its possessions:Bulciago,Cremella,Lurago,Locate andGarlate.
In 1018,Aribert (970–1045), Lord of Monza, was consecrated bishop ofMilan, resulting in the city losing its independence from its rival. These years saw a power struggle between the emperorConrad II, and Aribert. When the emperor died, he left important donations to the church of Monza.
In the 12th century, it is estimated that the city of Monza had about 7,000 inhabitants. Agriculture was the main occupation, although crafts had begun to grow in importance. In 1128Conrad III of Hohenstaufen was crowned King ofItaly in the Church of San Michele at Monza.
In 1136 emperorLothair III guaranteed the independence of the clergy of Monza from Milan. Monza subsequently regained its autonomy, which was not limited to the feudal government of lands and goods; the archpriest of Monza was confirmed the authority of the clergy of his church (year 1150). This autonomy was never absolute, as the church of Monza was not able to completely cut its ties with the bishop of Milan.
Frederick I Barbarossa visited Monza twice (1158 and 1163). During this period the city again regained its independence from Milan, a city hostile to the emperor. Frederick declared that Monza was his property and also gave theCurraria (the right to levy customs on the streets), a right usually granted only to royal seats.
During the period of the struggle against Milan and other cities of theLombard League, Monza was primarily an administrative centre for Barbarossa. Monzan independence lasted until 1185 when Barbarossa ended the conflict with the Lombard League with thepeace of Constance. He allowed the city of Milan to self-rule its subjects again while taking possession of the treasury of the cathedral.
In 1185Henry VI, son of Barbarossa, was crowned king at Monza, on the occasion of his marriage to QueenConstanza ofSicily, heir to the Norman kingdom.
As early as the 12th century, Monza was a fortified place, although the status offree city had changed its economical role. Agricultural activities were now paired by the production of clothes, while wool processing developed on large farms outside the walls.
Monza was increasingly linked to events of Milan and shared its history and enemies: in 1255 the city was sacked by theGhibellines, and in 1259 andEzzelino III da Romano tried to seize thecastle of Monza but was repelled; the village was set on fire.
After the decisive 1277 victory of the Visconti at theBattle of Desio, Monza was occupied by ArchbishopOttone Visconti and the Marquis ofMontferrat,William VII (1278). The following year, the town was declared a possession of the people of Milan.
Enrico Aliprandi, a member of a family of Monza, joined the Torriani faction, with many enlisted soldiers under his command. He was acclaimed Lord of Monza by the people in 1322. The same year,Luchino Visconti and Francesco Garbagnate demolished the walls of Monza to prevent it from defending itself against attacks from the Milanese.
In 1325Galeazzo I Visconti, who conquered the city after a long siege, began the construction of new defences. Among the projects was the bifurcation of the River Lambro (the "Lambretto" branch) and the construction of acastle, the third in Monza. It included a 42 metres (138 ft) tall-tower, later used as a jail (Forni). The Castle of Monza was later expanded to such a degree that it was necessary to demolish the St. Mary of Ingino church as space was needed for new buildings. Two other towers were also built along the River Lambro. In 1327 Galeazzo himself was imprisoned in theForni, by order of emperorLouis IV. He was released the next year.
In April 1329, the condottieroPinalla Aliprandi regained Monza from the imperial troops.Azzone Visconti allowed the reconstruction of the walls, beginning in 1333 and lasting until 1381.Martino Aliprandi waspodestà of Monza from 1334 to 1336, overseeing the construction of the walls and the fortification of the fortress.
In 1354 Pope Innocent VI proclaimed the undisputed right to impose, in the Cathedral of Monza, the Crown of Italy, the Iron Crown. In 1380Gian Galeazzo Visconti donated the castle to his wife Catherine, who died there after having been jailed by her sonGiovanni Maria (1404). In 1407Estorre Visconti was proclaimed Lord of Monza and began minting Monza's own coinage.
Antonio de Leyva, the Spanish governor of Milan and commander of the imperial troops, sacked the city in 1527. In the same year, a mine exploded causing the partial destruction of the Castle of Monza. De Leyva became Lord of Monza in 1529, devoting himself to the government regulation of ecclesiastical affairs, controlling their taxes and duties and shutting the doors of those who did not pay. His relativeMarianna de Leyva was the inspiration toAlessandro Manzoni for his Nun of Monza.
The plague, which struck Monza in 1576 and 1630, caused a profound demographic and economic crisis. In 1648, Monza and its territory became the property of the Milanese Durini family.
The Duchy of Milan and Monza remained subject to the Spanish crown until the early 18th century.
EmpressMaria Theresa built theRoyal Villa of Monza for her son Ferdinand, Governor of Milan (1777–1780). The choice of Monza was due not only to the beauty of the landscape, but also its strategic position and the fact that it was connected to Vienna as well as its proximity to Milan. The construction was completed in three years with design by architectGiuseppe Piermarini from Foligno.
Considered by the French as a symbol of aristocratic power, the Royal Villa was destined for demolition. However, the protests of citizens stopped the process, although the abandonment caused the complex to decay.
Two-thirds of the gold and silver treasures of the Monza Cathedral were delivered to the mint of Milan, which turned them into coins used for military expenses. Bonaparte also took possession of the treasures of the Basilica and the Chapter Library books, and transferred them to theNational Library in Paris. The Iron Crown was left provisionally in Monza.
In 1805, the Italian Republic became theKingdom of Italy with its capital in Milan. On 26 May 1805, the Iron Crown was in Milan for the coronation ofNapoleon Bonaparte, who put it on his head, uttering the famous phrase "God gave it to me, woe to anyone who touches it." Napoleon also established theOrder of the Iron Crown. Monza received the title of Imperial City. The Viceroy of Italy,Eugène de Beauharnais, was appointed in August 1805 and he settled in the Villa of Monza. In 1807 the castle was demolished.
In the fall of the First Empire (1815), Austria annexed the Italian territories to the Kingdom ofLombardy-Venetia, Monza being included in the province of Milan. The Monzesi asked for the restoration of all the treasures taken by the French. In 1816 the city returned the possession of the books of the Treasury and Chapter Library. The Crown of Agilulf, however, had been melted inParis.
The next emperorFerdinand I of Austria had himself crowned King of Lombardy and Venetia in Milan with the Iron Crown (6 September 1838), with the opportunity to extend various benefits to the city. New roads are opened, including the King Ferdinand road (now Via Vittorio Emanuele), while in 1842 the Bridge of Lions was erected near the old Roman bridge. In 1841 the first railway connecting Milan and Monza was inaugurated.
Monza took part in theFive Days of Milan (22–23 March 1848) Monza, expelling the Austrian garrison. The Austrians returned in 1849.
On 31 December 1895 Monza had about 37,500 permanent inhabitants. The economy was based on the production of wheat, corn, fodder, potatoes, oats, rye and vegetables in general. Another source of wealth was the breeding of silkworms.
In 1900 Monza was the scene of the assassination of KingUmberto I by anarchistGaetano Bresci. To commemorate the spot of the crime, his successorVictor Emmanuel III ordered the construction of anExpiatory Chapel on Via Matteo da Campione.
Plaque dedicated to Gianni Citterio, fallen partisan and recipient of the Gold Medal of Military Valor during the Second World War
At the beginning of the century, Monza counted 41,200 inhabitants; in 1911 it was among the eight most industrialised centres of Italy. The main activities were related to the processing of cotton, mechanics, hat factories and industries.
Between the twoworld wars, the city's industrial structure did not undergo substantial change while recording significant increases in production volumes. The Autodromo (1922) and a golf course (1925) were built in the park.
TheSecond World War, between 1940 and 1945, caused several bombings of Monza, with civilian casualties; after the September 1943Italian Armistice, the area was occupied by the Germans.
In the second half of the century, the city experienced a significant increase in population and subsequent building development. With the development of various activities occurring problems related to traffic and links to nearby towns, especially with Milan.
At the beginning of the century, Monza had about 120,000 inhabitants. The city became the capital of theProvince of Monza and Brianza on 11 June 2004. In 2009–2013 a tunnel was built to supplement the Viale Lombardia (SS36 national road), one of the busiest streets in Europe.
In the course of its history, Monza withstood thirty-two sieges, but the Porta d'Agrate is all that remains of its original walls and fortifications. Nearby is the nunnery in whichthe Nun of Monza was enclosed inManzoni'sThe Betrothed.
Monza is known for itsRomanesque-Gothic styleCathedral of Saint John (Duomo). The black-and-white marble arcaded façade was erected in the mid-14th century by Matteo da Campione. The campanile was erected in 1606 to designs byPellegrino Tibaldi.
The cathedral encloses theChapel of Theodelinda, a centrally-planned Greek-crossoraculum ("chapel of prayer") dated toc. 595. The foundations remain under the crossing ofnave andtransept, but at the close of the 13th century, the chapel was enlarged by enclosing the former atrium within the building. The frescoed chapel houses theIron Crown of Lombardy, said to include one of the nails used at the Crucifixion of Jesus. The treasury also contains the crown, fan and gold comb ofTheodelinda, and, as well as Gothic crosses and reliquaries, a golden hen and seven chickens, representing Lombardy and her seven provinces. Though the interior has suffered changes, there is a fine relief by Matteo da Campione representing a royal Lombard coronation, and some 15th-century frescoes with scenes from the life of Theodelinda.
The historical centre of Monza also includes the following landmarks:
Santa Maria in Strada – A medieval church with a richly decorated terra-cotta façade, completed in 1393.
Broletto orArengario – The 14th-century town hall, featuring a loggia with pointed arches and a tall, square, machicolated tower topped by a sharp central spire.
San Pietro Martire – A historic church in the city centre.
Santa Maria delle Grazie – A 15th-century church.
Oratory of St. Gregory – A small Baroque oratory built in the 17th century.
Santa Maria al Carrobiolo – A 16th-century church associated with the Barnabite order.
Royal Villa – A neoclassical villa constructed during Austrian rule over the Duchy of Milan.
Monza Park and the Royal Gardens – Among the largest walled parks in Europe, covering an area of approximately 685 hectares (1,690 acres). Located in the northern part of the city, it borders the towns ofLesmo,Villasanta,Vedano al Lambro, andBiassono.
The cuisine of Monza is typical of Insubria and Brianza. It is linked to culinary traditions and the bond with the nearby areas, especially with the Milanese cuisine. Typical dishes arecassoeula, the buseca, risotto withluganega.
The Duomo's (Cathedral) Museum collection is home to early medieval treasures from the time of QueenTheodelinda, including the gilt silver "Hen with Chicks", the Cross of Agilulf, and theIron Crown; there are also pieces from the late medieval, modern and contemporary ages.
Theatre in the city include the Teatro Manzoni, the Teatro Villoresi, the Teatro Binario 7. Cinemas include the Sala San Carlo, the AreaOdeon, the Cinema Capitol, the Cinema Metropol and the Cinema Teodolinda.
The Italian Grand Prix has been hosted at the Monza circuit in every single year ofFormula One history bar one (1980), and although no Italian has won the race sinceLudovico Scarfiotti in1966, the local support is for theFerrari team, which has taken many historical wins on the circuit, especially withMichael Schumacher winning five times between 1996 and 2006. The event also sawJody Scheckter secure the1979 title inthat event among other historical wins such as the Ferrari 1-2 finish against the odds in1988. The Ferrari fans at Monza are known both in Italian and internationally astifosi. Aside from Ferrari, another Italian milestone at the venue was German 21-year oldSebastian Vettel taking his and Italian teamScuderia Toro Rosso's first win in torrential rain in2008.[8]
The event has been marred by tragedy several times, involving driver fatalities such asWolfgang von Trips,Jochen Rindt andRonnie Peterson, but also a fatal accident involving a trackside marshal in2000, and multiple spectators being killed in von Trips' fatal accident in1961.[9][10] Monza is an extremely fast circuit that has been modified with three chicanes to curb speeds, but is still the fastest circuit on the Formula One calendar and is considered too fast to be considered to hostMotoGP and no longer holdsSuperbike World Championship events either. When it hosted theItalian motorcycle Grand Prix it saw a double fatal accident forJarno Saarinen andRenzo Pasolini in 1973 after a pile-up through the dauntingly fastCurva Grande, that has since had significant runoff added to it. Italy's last Formula One championAlberto Ascari also died at the Monza circuit in 1955, but it was during a test of a road car rather than during a race.
Monza's professionalfootball club,AC Monza, play at theStadio Brianteo. They were promoted to theSerie A, the top flight of Italian football, in 2022. AC Monza's under-19 team also plays in the top youth division (Primavera 1).
Monza-basedVero Volley plays in theSerie A1, the top division for men's volleyball in Italy, since 2014. They play at theMonza Arena. Theirwomen's team also plays at the Monza Arena in the women'sSerie A1.
In 2006 Monza hosted theWorld Cyber Games tournament.[citation needed] In 2005 and 2008, Monza hosted the "International Gran Galà Marching Show Bands" at Stadio Brianteo (with the USA band Blue Devils, 11 times WMSB Champion of the World).[citation needed]
Monza railway station is the most importantrailway junction in the Brianza area. Travel between Monza and Milan via theMilan - Monza railway can be made both withsuburban (lines S7, S8, S9 and S11) and regional trains, that furthermore connect Monza toLecco/Sondrio,Como,Chiasso/Lugano (CH),Bergamo andSaronno (via theSaronno - Seregno railway). Also, someEuroCity trains stop in Monza. In early 2008, work began on the expansion of Milansubway Line M1 from Sesto San Giovanni to Monza Bettola, while works for the LineM5 extension from Milan to Monza railway station and the rest of the city, with 8 new stops through the city of Monza, started in 2024.
Monza railway station is located on Enrico Arosio Road, on the southern edge of the historic city centre.
Monza can be reached through the following motorways:A4-E64 (Turin-Milan-Venice), A52 (North Ring of Milan), A51 (East Ring of Milan). State road (SS36 – Nuova Valassina) connects the city toLecco andSondrio. A 2 km (1.2 mi) long tunnel has been added to try and alleviate traffic problems that are happening in the city.
The centre is off-limits to cars and other motorised vehicles.
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