Industrial and residential is the principal city in the Brianza area and has a population of approximately 121.000 inhabitants. Its origin dates back to Celtic times but its historical importance was affirmed in the VII century during the period of the Longobards who were converted to Catholicism by Queen Teodelinda.

The town's principal monument is the Cathedral or Basilica of St. John the Baptist saint patron of the city. This gothic style church (XIV century) was erected on the site of the ancient baptistery built by Queen Teodelinda at the end of the VI century. The legendary facade, in white and green marble arranged in horizontal strips was finished by Matteo da Campione (+ 1396) with the extension of the lateral parts and the elevation of the head of the facade. The side of the facade is a superb bell-tower 80 metres high, built in 1606 by the architect Ercole Turati. The internal part of the cathedral was transformed into a varied eclectic baroque structure during the XVII and XVIII centuries. Against the sun, the magnificent rose-window can be admired in its full splendour, the work of the Bertini brothers (1890). In the central aisle, on the left, is the chancel of Matteo da Campione.

The altar table, beautifully decorated in the front by Borghino del Pozzo the well known XIV century Milanese jeweller, depicts the life of St. John the Baptist on a silver gold plated plaque one meter high and over two meters wide.

On the left of the presbytery is the so-called Chapel of Queen Teodelinda. The chapel is decorated with frescoes by the Zavattari, eminent artists who belonged to the pictorial current called the flowery or international gothic style (1444). In a sequence which could be termed a filmed one, the "Golden Legend" of Teodelinda is represented in scenes of refined taste, in courteous and chivalrous episodes, from the time when she came to Italy as the wife of Autari, King of the Longobards. The welcome at Verona follows with the death funeral of Autari and the second marriage with Agilulfo, new king of the Longobards.

The most enchanting part of the frescoes is that showing the miracles, the vision and the preparations which precede the building of the Monza Basilica, consecrated in 595 A.D. The wonderful procession of the Emperor Costante II, who came to Italy to wage war with Longobards, closes the sequence. In the same chapel, the Corona Ferrea (Iron Crown) is conserved. Ancient tradition, never contradicted, indicates that the inner band of the Crown was shaped from one of the nails taken from the Cross on which Christ was crucified. For many centuries, the Corona Ferrea was used to crown kings of Italy and other illustrious people such as Charlemagne, Ottone I, Berengario I, Corrado II, Corrado III, Frederick Red Beard, Henry IV, Charles IV, Charles V, Napoleon and Ferdinand of Habsburg. The historical and artistic values of the Crown are on the same high pane; it is composed of six gold and enamelled segments joined together by hinges. Large precious stones stand out in relief in the form of crosses and flowers attached on the inside by a ring of iron: the HoIy Nail.

On the left of the Cathedral, through the baroque cloister, you enter the Museum where the famous treasure is kept and is on view to the public from 9 am to 12 noon and from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Closed on Mondays. The treasure consists of a collection of the richest antiques of barbaric art from the IV to the IX century and other precious objects belonging to successive periods. The most important are: the Diptych of Stilicone, V century, a type of "Imperial Agenda" consisting of two ivory plaques. Under this diptych hangs one of the V-Vl century called "The Poet and The Muse “and another "David and St. Gregorio", consular diptych from the VI century reworked during the IX century. The sixteen tin Ampullae, VI century, of palestinian origin and adorned with biblical episodes give evidence of the cult of Holy Sites during the high medieval period and represent an iconographical document of inestimable value and the best collection in the world of this kind.

The twenty six glass Ampullae made in Rome between the V and VI centuries containing all taken from the Martyrs' tombs, have enabled the experts to reconstruct the itinerary and the location of the Catacombs.

The small Cross of Adaloaldo, son of Teodelinda, is an authentic masterpiece of VI century Syrian ad. Pope Paul VI wore it during his visit to the Holy Land.

Of the same period, but of late Roman origin, is the Evangelarium of Teodelinda in gold with numerous cameos. The most popular and bizarre piece of the entire treasure is the so-called "Golden Hen" with her seven chicks. Perhaps it was an object which the Longobards placed in their tombs to signify eternal life. This piece is the only one its kind masterpiece of barbaric art normally attributed to the VI century. The VI century consecrated Cross of Agilulfo and the receptacle for the "Tooth of St. John" of the VIII century, are made of beautiful pieces of solid gold and studded with gems. Also of great interest are antic paleochristian materials, refined silver of XIV century (Gian Galeazzo Visconti' s chalice, the manufacturer' s seal and St. John the Baptists statuette), and precious ivories of the same period. Good collection of Lombard's silver of XVI-XIX centuries.

To conclude this brief review of the magnificent works of art housed in the museum, mention must be made of the nine tapestries, XVI century, representing episodes in the life of John the Baptist.

In the historical centre of Monza is the Arengario, the ancient Town Hall built in 1293. On the south side of the building is a balcony (the "parlera") from which the people were addressed. On the apposite side is the XIV century pointed tower surmounted by Ghibellini blackbirds, characteristic for their dove tail shape. The Church of St. Maria in Strada is worthy of mention for its rich Gothic-Lombard facade in red terra-cotta. At the side of the church is the robust bell-tower built by Ambrogio da Milano (1357). Of note is the beautiful gothic statue, French School, representing Virgin and Child, located on the top of the facade.

The Villa Reale is an imposing group of buildings, a true jewel of neo-classical style. Ferdinand, the Archduke of Austria, was responsible for its construction, and the Villa was built during the years 1776 to 1780 under the guidance of the architect Giuseppe Piermarini who was also entrusted with the construction of the "Teatro alla Scala " in Milan. Leading up to the main entrance of the Villa is the magnificent avenue named after Cesare Battisti and traced out by the Napoleon Viceroy, Eugenio di Beauharnais, who used the villa as his favourite holiday retreat. The Main Reception Hall, the Apartments of Humber I and Margaret of Savoy, the Chapel, the Court theatre and the front and back facades are worthy of mention. The hot-houses are joined to the Villa by a Rotonda (round shaped room) decorated with pretty frescoes depicting the fable of Eros and Psyche painted by Andrea Appiani in 1789. A visit to the hot-houses in the opportune season to see the roses is well worth while.

The Park, created in 1806 by Eugenio di Beauharnais, occupies an area of 800 ha, part of which is under cultivation. The remainder consists of glades and woods. The river Lambro flows through the Park and many tree-lined avenues lead week-end picnickers to the many beauty spots which the Park has to offer. The Autodrome, built in 1922 through the initiative of the Automobile Club of Milan, occupies a large area in the northern part of the Park and is open all year round.

The motor-car and motor-cycle races which are held here are world famous, such as the Italian Grand Prix F.1, the Grand Prix of the Nations, the Thousand Kilometres and others. There are two motor racing tracks, one elliptical 5800 metres long and the other, a high speed track 4250 metres long with banked corners in reinforced concrete. The elliptical track has a variant of 2405 metres called the Junior Track, illuminated for night racing. The entire layout of the track is covered by a television system which permits every phase of a race to be televised.

On the North side of the motor-racing track is an excellent Camping site frequented every year by many tourists.The Mirabello horse-racing track is in the North of the Park and here, in the Summer season, horse races were held. There is also a Polo ground here.

Still in the Park, in the direction of St George's Gate and in the middle of trees and fields, is a magnificently equipped Golf Club with an 18 and a 9 hole golf course where world class tournaments are held.