Monza

Monza (Lombard: Mùnscia; Latin: Modoetia) is a city and comune on the River Lambro , a tributary of the Po in the Lombardy region of Italy, about 15 kilometres (9 miles) north-northeast of Milan . It is the capital of the Province of Monza and Brianza. Monza is best known for its Grand Prix motor racing circuit, the Autodromo Nazionale Monza , which hosts the Formula One Italian Grand Prix.

Main sights

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 which the Nun of Monza was enclosed in Manzoni's I Promessi Sposi.

Monza is known for its Romanesque-Gothic Cethedral of Saint John (Duomo). There Theodelinda's centrally-planned Greek-cross oraculum ("chapel of prayer") from c. 595 (its foundations remaining under the crossing of nave and transept) was enlarged at the close of the 13th century by enclosing the former atrium within the building. 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 by Pellegrino Tibaldi. In the frescoed Chapel of Theodelinda is the Iron Crown of Lombardy , supposed to contain one of the nails used at the Crucifixion. The treasury also contains the crown, fan and gold comb of Theodelinda, 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 also include:

• the church of Santa Maria in Strada , with a rich terra-cotta façade of 1393
• the Broletto or Arengario , the 14th-century palace of the civic commune, raised on an arcade of pointed arches, with a tall square machiolated tower terminating in a sharp central cone.
• the church of San Pietro Martire
• the memorial Cappella Espiatoria, built in 1900 in memory of the assassinated King Umberto I of Italy
• Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie (15th century)
• Oratory of St. Gregory (17th century)
• church of Santa Maria al Carrobiolo (16th century)
• Monza Park and the gardens of the Royal Palace are among the largest in Europe to be enclosed by walls. The park has an area of approximately 685 hectars (1693 acres) and is located in the northern part of the city, between the towns of Lesmo , Villasanta , Vedano al Lambro and Biassono .
• The Royal Villa , built during the period of Austrian rule in the Duchy of Milan.

Other villas includes the Mirabello, Mirabellino, Durini, Crivelli Mesmer, Prata, Archinto Pennati, Calloni and Villa Carminati-Ferrario .