A PROVINCE TO BE EXPLORED - Visita Milano

Monza
The church of S. Pietro Martire, founded in the 14th century
Carlo Alberto) features two major examples of medieval
architecture: the church of S. Maria in Strada
(constructed by Ambrosolo da Milano from 1348
on), with a heavily restored brick façade; and the
church of S. Pietro Martire, the hub of the 14th-century
Dominican complex, with Gothic architecture,
the remains of frescoes and a 16th-century wooden
Crucifixion.
The nearby S. Maria del Carrobiolo alle Umilia -
te (indication of the Humiliati’s substantial presence
in Monza) has a 14th-century bell tower but the construction
(commenced in 1232) has repeatedly been
altered. The city’s walled design can b e perceived
from the ring road, divided in two by the aforementioned
thoroughfare and the L ambro River, whic h
runs parallel to it.
Inside the walls: Manne rism
to the present day
While remaining true to its medieval urban design,
Monza spent an uninterrupted period b e-
tween the mid-16th and late-18th centuries embellishing
its historic buildings, such that their appearance
was radically altered. One glaring example is
the Duomo of S. Giovanni Battista as the layout
of nave and two aisles and its Gothic façade were
retained but the interior was substantially changed
with a Mannerist presbytery (to a design by Pelle-
Historical parade
The bell tower in piazza
Duomo and the old Monza
city centre provide the setting
for the historical parade,
a traditional periodcostume
event – part of the
June celebrations – that
takes the city back every
year t o r elive a m ajor h istoric
moment in which it
played a central part. This
return to the past enjoys
huge public consensus and
the increasingly lively participation
of numerous groups
of characters in period costume
from various parts and
neighbouring villages in particular
come together in full
collaboration and in the spirit
of the new province of
Monza and Brianza.
Monza and its province
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