The historic center of Monza preserves some of the artistic and cultural treasures of the city of Brianza. In a few square kilometers, walking along well-kept streets, you cross centuries of history, letting yourself be conquered by symbolic monuments such as the Cathedral, the Tower of Teodolinda, the Arengario and the numerous churches scattered throughout. The historic center of Monza, therefore, is undoubtedly among the things to see if you decide to visit the area.

If you are planning a visit to Monza , for one or more days, know that you absolutely must plan a walk through the historic center . In fact, this is undoubtedly the best way to get to know the city of Brianza , its history, its artistic heritage and its cultural background. In particular, there are some points in the historic center of Monza that cannot be ignored. Here is a short itinerary to not get lost.

The Duomo complex

This virtual journey cannot fail to start from the beating heart of the city: the Duomo of Monza , with all that it contains. In fact, inside the minor Basilica of San Giovanni Battista (this is its real name) there are some of the most precious pieces that Monza has to offer to tourists: the wonderful Theodolinda Chapel, theTree of Life by Arcimboldo, a rich series of prestigious frescoes , the Iron Crown and the Museum of the Treasure and Cathedral of Monza .

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The Arengario palace

A little more than 100 meters on foot from the Duomo, stands the other symbol of Monza: the Palazzo dell’Arengario , that is the ancient town hall. Its importance is also confirmed by its strategic position, as it overlooks Piazza Roma , the nerve center of the city, from which all the main streets branch off. Today, the building is used as an exhibition space , while the ancient collections that filled it have been transferred to the nearby Civic Museums , housed in the Casa degli Umiliati .

The Civic Museums of Monza

The distance between the Arengario and the Museums is really minimal, less than 300 meters, passing again near the Duomo. To confirm that walking around Monza is very easy. The building where the museums are located was an old reception house for lay members of religious orders . Today, the two floors of the structure house both archaeological finds and paintings from the sixteenth to the twentieth century , as well as temporary exhibitions .

The Longobard Tower, the Teodolinda Tower and the Viscontea Tower

If you leave the Civic Museums and head towards the Lambro river , you have the opportunity to admire two towers, which are also very characteristic. They are the Lombard Tower , the only one from that period still intact, and the Tower of Teodolinda , from the Middle Ages. Also along the Lambro there is also the nineteenth-century Torre Viscontea , but moved further south, about 500 meters from the other two.

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The Ponte dei Leoni and the remains of the Ponte d’Arena

Near the Tower of Teodolinda, it is also possible to admire the Bridge of the lions , the most famous of those that cross the Lambro river. It was built in the mid-1800s, with the intention of enhancing the Austrian Empire. To make room for it, what remained of the old Ponte d’Arena was demolished, much larger but already partially destroyed by a flood, the last of which are still visible.

The churches and other monuments of the historic center of Monza

In closing and in no particular order, some other places of historical and artistic interest deserve to be mentioned, such as the war memorial located in Piazza Trento e Trieste . The same goes for the numerous churches scattered all over the city, such as Santa Maria in Strada , San Maurizio (where legend has it that the nun of Monza took her vows), Santa Maria al Carrobiolo and San Pietro Martire .

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