Visiting Monza is a comfortable and pleasant experience. The Lombard city, a few steps from Milan, has a long history of culture and traditions and offers artistic jewels of inestimable value. The following is a brief guide on what to see in Monza, designed for those who want to discover the beauty of the capital that gave birth to the famous Nun Gertrude, whose story is told by Alessandro Manzoni in the Promessi Sposi. Are you getting ready to visit Monza and want to understand what to see ? This article can really give you a helping hand and help you better organize your time in the city. It is a brief guide to Monza that shows you the 5 monuments or places that you really cannot miss , because they deeply characterize the Lombard city. Monza, in fact, has a lot to offer culturally, both in historical and artistic terms, and nothing to envy to the nearby Milan. And then, it is a place with an extremely modern soul, it is no coincidence that it hosts the most famous Italian car circuit , namely the Autodromo Nazionale Monza, known throughout the world as the Temple of Speed. But let’s proceed in order, and begin this little journey through the streets of Monza, divided into five stages.

Weekend in Monza? Here is a ready-made itinerary

Monza Cathedral and Museum of Treasures

The route starts from the undisputed king of the city: the Monza Cathedral (whose official name, however, is the Minor Basilica of San Giovanni Battista). A monument that deserves to be at the top of the rankings, because it would also rightfully enter the even narrower list of things to see in Monza in just one day. The Cathedral was built between the fourteenth and seventeenth centuries and houses some timeless masterpieces, including the Tree of Life by Arcimboldo and the wonderful Teodolinda Chapel . The latter takes its name from the Lombard queen who converted the monzese to Catholicism and who is still a much loved figure in the capital (the picturesque historical procession that animates the streets every year at the beginning of July is dedicated to her). Furthermore, the so-called Iron Crown is also preserved in the Cathedral, with which for centuries various kings were crowned, including the Kings of Italy. Attached to the building, there is also the Museum of the Treasure and Cathedral of Monza , whose relics cover over 1400 years of history.

Read also the in-depth analysis on the Cathedral of Monza

Monza historic center and Lambro river

Once you exit the Duomo, you find yourself in the beautiful square of the same name, the heart of the historic city center. From here you can start a walk that touches the fundamental monuments of Monza : Palazzo dell’Arengario , the War Memorial , Torre Teodolinda (her again!) and Ponte dei Leoni over the Lambro river . The Palazzo dell’Arengario is the most important building in Monza after the Duomo (from which it is just a two-minute walk away). It is a former municipal building, located in an area where the main city streets cross, including via Italia , the artery that connects the center of Monza with the heart of Milan. Currently, the Arengario hosts art and photography exhibitions. Not far from the Cathedral of Monza and the Arengario there are also Piazza Trento Trieste , site of the war memorial , and the Tower of Teodolinda , from the Middle Ages. A visit cannot be denied even to the Ponte dei Leoni, which straddles the Lambro river and which owes its name to the four statues placed at its ends. Finally, the historic centre of Monza is full of small churches that are worth a mention (and maybe a look, since you are there), such as Santa Maria in Strada , San Maurizio (where legend has it that the nun from Monza took her vows), Santa Maria al Carrobiolo and San Pietro Martire .

Read more about the historic center of Monza

Royal Villa (or Royal Palace of Monza)

Slightly off-centre with respect to the other important monuments, about a quarter of an hour’s walk from the Cathedral, stands one of the symbols of Monza, which cannot be missed: the Royal Villa (also known as the Reggia ). Born as a ducal palace in 1777, at the behest of Ferdinand of Habsburg , it was subsequently acquired by the royal family, who made it a luxurious summer residence . The Royal Villa bears the signature of the architect Giovanni Piermarini , a pupil of Vanvitelli . Not surprisingly, the classic and clean style that characterizes the external architecture is very reminiscent of two famous works by Vanvitelli: the Royal Palace of Caserta and the Teatro alla Scala in Milan . Internally, the Palace is divided into two sections: the royal apartments and the state rooms, both extremely fascinating.

Read also the in-depth information on the Royal Villa of Monza

Monza Park

The Royal Villa is nestled within the Monza Park , another attraction that cannot be overlooked and is an absolute must-see. With its 700 hectares of extension, it triples the size of the park of Versailles and is the largest urban park in Europe. Established in 1805, today Monza Park represents an essential green lung for the city, to be explored on foot or by bicycle.

Read more about the Royal Park of Monza

Monza National Circuit

Last but not least, on this list of things to absolutely see in Monza is a much more contemporary attraction than the previous ones: the Autodromo Nazionale Monza . The Temple of Speed, known and loved internationally, is located inside the Park , near the Reggia di Monza, giving life to an original combination of ancient and modern. On the other hand, the track is also a piece of history , having been, for decades, the setting in which the Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix takes place.

Discover the Autodromo Nazionale Monza through unforgettable tours or get on the track with track days

The original contents of this article are produced by an external service without any involvement of the press office of the Autodromo Nazionale Monza.