Monza
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Monza
Monscia (Lombard) | |
---|---|
Comune di Monza | |
Saint Gerardo dei Tintori | |
Saint day | 24 June, 6 June |
Website | Official website |
Monza (
On 11 June 2004, Monza was designated the capital of the new province of Monza and Brianza. The new administrative arrangement came fully into effect in summer 2009; previously, Monza was a comune within the province of Milan. Monza is the third-largest city of Lombardy and is the most important economic, industrial and administrative centre of the Brianza area, supporting a textile industry and a publishing trade. Monza also hosts a department of the University of Milano-Bicocca, a Court of Justice and several offices of regional administration. Monza Park is one of the largest urban parks in Europe.
Geography and topography
Monza is located in the high plains of
Monza is crossed from north to south by the Lambro. The river enters Monza from the north, between Via Aliprandi and Via Zanzi streets. This is an artificial fork of the river, created for defensive purposes in the early decades of the 14th century. The fork is known as Lambretto and it rejoins the main course of the Lambro as it exits to the south, leaving Monza through the now-demolished ancient circle of medieval walls. Another artificial stream is the Canale Villoresi, which was constructed in the late 19th century.
Monza has a typical submediterranean climate of the Po valley, with cool, short winters and warm summers; temperatures are very similar to nearby Milan, averaging 2 °C (36 °F) in January, the coldest month, to about 23 °C (73 °F) in July, the warmest.[5] Precipitation is abundant, with most occurring in the autumn and the least in winter and summer; despite this, the city and surrounding area usually does not suffer drought in any season.
History
Prehistory and ancient era
Funerary
During the Roman Empire, Monza was known as Modicia. During the 3rd century BCE, the Romans subdued the Insubres, a Gaul tribe that had crossed the Alps and settled around Mediolanum (now Milan). A Gallo-Celtic tribe, perhaps the Insubres themselves, founded a village on the Lambro. The ruins of a Roman bridge named Ponte d'Arena can be seen near today's Ponte dei Leoni (Lions Bridge).
Middle Ages
Theodelinda, daughter of Garibald I of Bavaria and wife of the Lombard king Authari (and later of king Agilulf), chose Monza as her summer residence. Here in 595 she founded an oraculum dedicated to St. John the Baptist. According to the legend, Theodelinda, asleep while her husband was hunting, saw a dove in a dream that told her: modo (Latin for "here") indicating that she should build the oraculum in that place, and the queen answered etiam, meaning "yes". According to this legend, the medieval name of Monza, "Modoetia", is derived from these two words. She also had a palace (the future Royal palace) built here.
Berengar I of Italy (850–924) located his headquarters in Monza. A fortified castrum was constructed to resist the incursions of the Hungarians. Under Berengar's reign, Monza enjoyed a certain degree of independence: it had its own system of weights and measures, and could also seize property and mark the deeds with their signatures. Berengar was very generous evident by the donation of numerous works to the Monza Cathedral, including the famous cross, and by giving large benefits to its 32 canons and other churches.
In 980 Monza hosted Emperor Otto II inside the walled city. The Glossary of Monza, one of the earliest examples of the evolution of the Italian language, probably dates to the early 10th century. In 1000 Emperor Otto III became the protector of Monza and its possessions: Bulciago, Cremella, Lurago, Locate and Garlate.
In 1018,
In the 12th century, it is estimated that the city of Monza had about 7,000 inhabitants. Agriculture was the main occupation, although crafts had begun to grow in importance. In 1128 Conrad III of Hohenstaufen was crowned King of Italy in the Church of San Michele at Monza.
In 1136 emperor Lothair III guaranteed the independence of the clergy of Monza from Milan. Monza subsequently regained its autonomy, which was not limited to the feudal government of lands and goods; the archpriest of Monza was confirmed the authority of the clergy of his church (year 1150). This autonomy was never absolute, as the church of Monza was not able to completely cut its ties with the bishop of Milan.
During the period of the struggle against Milan and other cities of the Lombard League, Monza was primarily an administrative centre for Barbarossa. Monzan independence lasted until 1185 when Barbarossa ended the conflict with the Lombard League with the peace of Constance. He allowed the city of Milan to self-rule its subjects again while taking possession of the treasury of the cathedral.
In 1185 Henry VI, son of Barbarossa, was crowned king at Monza, on the occasion of his marriage to Queen Constanza of Sicily, heir to the Norman kingdom.
As early as the 12th century, Monza was a fortified place, although the status of free city had changed its economical role. Agricultural activities were now paired by the production of clothes, while wool processing developed on large farms outside the walls.
Monza was increasingly linked to events of Milan and shared its history and enemies: in 1255 the city was sacked by the Ghibellines, and in 1259 and Ezzelino III da Romano tried to seize the castle of Monza but was repelled; the village was set on fire.
After the decisive 1277 victory of the Visconti at the
14th–17th centuries
In 1312, Monza adhered to the Ghibelline faction.
Enrico Aliprandi, a member of a family of Monza, joined the Torriani faction, with many enlisted soldiers under his command. He was acclaimed Lord of Monza by the people in 1322. The same year, Luchino Visconti and Francesco Garbagnate demolished the walls of Monza to prevent it from defending itself against attacks from the Milanese.
In 1325 Galeazzo I Visconti, who conquered the city after a long siege, began the construction of new defences. Among the projects was the bifurcation of the River Lambro (the "Lambretto" branch) and the construction of a castle, the third in Monza. It included a 42 metres (138 ft) tall-tower, later used as a jail (Forni). The Castle of Monza was later expanded to such a degree that it was necessary to demolish the St. Mary of Ingino church as space was needed for new buildings. Two other towers were also built along the River Lambro. In 1327 Galeazzo himself was imprisoned in the Forni, by order of emperor Louis IV. He was released the next year.
In April 1329, the condottiero Pinalla Aliprandi regained Monza from the imperial troops. Azzone Visconti allowed the reconstruction of the walls, beginning in 1333 and lasting until 1381. Martino Aliprandi was podestà of Monza from 1334 to 1336, overseeing the construction of the walls and the fortification of the fortress.
In 1354 Pope Innocent VI proclaimed the undisputed right to impose, in the Cathedral of Monza, the Crown of Italy, the Iron Crown. In 1380
The plague, which struck Monza in 1576 and 1630, caused a profound demographic and economic crisis. In 1648, Monza and its territory became the property of the Milanese Durini family.
The Duchy of Milan and Monza remained subject to the Spanish crown until the early 18th century.
18th century
At the end of the War of the Spanish Succession (1713), the Duchy of Milan was assigned to the House of Habsburg of Austria. This historical period is a season of rebirth of the city, with a considerable development of agriculture and crafts.
Empress Maria Theresa built the Royal Villa of Monza for her son Ferdinand, Governor of Milan (1777–1780). The choice of Monza was due not only to the beauty of the landscape, but also its strategic position and the fact that it was connected to Vienna as well as its proximity to Milan. The construction was completed in three years with design by architect Giuseppe Piermarini from Foligno.
At the conclusion of the
19th century
Considered by the French as a symbol of aristocratic power, the Royal Villa was destined for demolition. However, the protests of citizens stopped the process, although the abandonment caused the complex to decay.
Two-thirds of the gold and silver treasures of the Monza Cathedral were delivered to the mint of Milan, which turned them into coins used for military expenses. Bonaparte also took possession of the treasures of the Basilica and the Chapter Library books, and transferred them to the National Library in Paris. The Iron Crown was left provisionally in Monza.
In 1805, the Italian Republic became the
In the fall of the First Empire (1815), Austria annexed the Italian territories to the Kingdom of
The next emperor Ferdinand I of Austria had himself crowned King of Lombardy and Venetia in Milan with the Iron Crown (6 September 1838), with the opportunity to extend various benefits to the city. New roads are opened, including the King Ferdinand road (now Via Vittorio Emanuele), while in 1842 the Bridge of Lions was erected near the old Roman bridge. In 1841 the first railway connecting Milan and Monza was inaugurated.
Monza took part in the Five Days of Milan (22–23 March 1848) Monza, expelling the Austrian garrison. The Austrians returned in 1849.
In 1859, at the end of the
On 31 December 1895 Monza had about 37,500 permanent inhabitants. The economy was based on the production of wheat, corn, fodder, potatoes, oats, rye and vegetables in general. Another source of wealth was the breeding of silkworms.
In 1900 Monza was the scene of the assassination of King
20th century
At the beginning of the century, Monza counted 41,200 inhabitants; in 1911 it was among the eight most industrialised centres of Italy. The main activities were related to the processing of cotton, mechanics, hat factories and industries.
Between the two world wars, the city's industrial structure did not undergo substantial change while recording significant increases in production volumes. The Autodromo (1922) and a golf course (1925) were built in the park.
The
In the second half of the century, the city experienced a significant increase in population and subsequent building development. With the development of various activities occurring problems related to traffic and links to nearby towns, especially with Milan.
21st century
At the beginning of the century, Monza had about 120,000 inhabitants. The city became the capital of the
Government
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
The cathedral encloses the Chapel of Theodelinda, a centrally-planned Greek-cross oraculum ("chapel of prayer") dated to c. 595. The foundations remain under the crossing of
The historical centre also includes the following buildings:
- Santa Maria in Strada: a medieval church with a rich terra-cotta façade (1393)
- 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.
- San Pietro Martire
- Santa Maria delle Grazie: 15th-century church
- Oratory of St. Gregory (17th century)
- Santa Maria al Carrobiolo: 16th-century church
- Expiatory Chapel of Monza (Cappella Espiatoria): Memorial chapel built in 1900 in memory of the assassinated King Umberto I of Italy
- Royal Villa: Villa built during the period of Austrian rule in the Duchy of Milan.
- 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 hectares (1,690 acres) and is located in the northern part of the city, between the towns of Lesmo, Villasanta, Vedano al Lambro and Biassono.
Other villas includes the Mirabello, Mirabellino, Durini, Crivelli Mesmer, Prata,
Culture and education
Cuisine
The cuisine of Monza is typical of Insubria and Brianza. It is linked to culinary traditions and the bond with the nearby areas, especially with the Milanese cuisine. Typical dishes are cassoeula, the buseca, risotto with luganega.
University
There are two departments of the
Museums
The Duomo's (Cathedral) Museum collection is home to early medieval treasures from the time of Queen
Theatres and cinemas
Theatre in the city include the Teatro Manzoni, the Teatro Villoresi, the Teatro Binario 7. Cinemas include the Sala San Carlo, the AreaOdeon, the Cinema Capitol, the Cinema Metropol and the Cinema Teodolinda.
Events
- Formula One Italian Grand Prix, at the beginning of September
- Feast of Saint Gerardo dei Tintori, on 6 June
Sport
Monza Circuit
Monza is internationally known for the
The Italian Grand Prix has been hosted at the Monza circuit in every single year of Formula One history bar one (1980), and although no Italian has won the race since Ludovico Scarfiotti in 1966, the local support is for the Ferrari team, which has taken many historical wins on the circuit, especially with Michael Schumacher winning five times between 1996 and 2006. The event also saw Jody Scheckter secure the 1979 title in that event among other historical wins such as the Ferrari 1-2 finish against the odds in 1988. The Ferrari fans at Monza are known both in Italian and internationally as tifosi. Aside from Ferrari, another Italian milestone at the venue was German 21-year old Sebastian Vettel taking his and Italian team Scuderia Toro Rosso's first win in torrential rain in 2008.[7]
The event has been marred by tragedy several times, involving driver fatalities such as
Other
Monza's professional football club, AC Monza, play at the Stadio Brianteo. They were promoted to the Serie A, the top flight of Italian football, in 2022. AC Monza's under-19 team also plays in the top youth division (Primavera 1).
Monza-based
In 2006 Monza hosted the World Cyber Games tournament.[citation needed] In 2005 and 2008, Monza hosted the "International Gran Galà Marching Show Bands" at Stadio Brianteo (with the USA band Blue Devils, 11 times WMSB Champion of the World).[citation needed]
Transport
Rail
Monza railway station is located in Enrico Arosio Road, on the southern edge of the historic city centre.
Roads
Monza can be reached through the following motorways:
. A 2 km (1.2 mi) long tunnel has been added to try and alleviate traffic problems that are happening in the city.The centre is off-limits to cars and other motorised vehicles.
People
- Ostrogoths
- Agilulf (c. 550–616), King of Lombardy
- Theodelinda (c. 570–628), Queen of Lombardy
- Gundeberga (c. 591–652), Queen of Lombardy and Italy
- Adaloald (602–626), King of Lombardy and Italy
- Rothari (606–652), King of Lombard and Italy
- Berengar I of Italy (c. 845–924), King of Italy
- Saint Gerardo dei Tintori(c. 1134 or 1140–1207), saint
- Bonincontro Morigia (14th century), historical writer
- Giuseppe Arcimboldo (1527–1593), painter
- Carlo Amati (1776–1852), architect
- Paolo Mantegazza (1831–1910), neurologist, physiologist and anthropologist
- Mosè Bianchi (1840–1904), painter
- Luigi Talamoni (1848–1926), priest and blessed
- Emilio Borsa (1857–1931), painter
- Pompeo Mariani (1857-1927), painter
- Ernesto Ambrosini (1894–1951), athlete
- Costantino Nivola (1911–1988), painter and sculptor
- Fiorenzo Magni (1920–2012), cyclist
- Valentino Giambelli (1928–2019), footballer and builder
- Ernesto Brambilla (1934–2020), motorcycle racer
- Vittorio Brambilla (1937–2001), F1 racer
- Gian Paolo Dulbecco (1941), painter
- Adriano Galliani (1944), football manager
- Daniele Massaro (1961), footballer
- Filippo Galli (1963), footballer
- Fabrizio Barbazza (1963), F1 racer
- Gianni Bugno (1964), cyclist
- Marco Monti (1964), footballer and youth coach
- Francesco Antonioli (1969), footballer
- Pierluigi Casiraghi (1969), footballer
- Marco Castoldi(1972), singer
- Massimo Brambilla (1973), footballer
- Ewn Garabandal (1978), novelist
- Stefano Mauri (1980), footballer
- Matteo Pessina (1997), footballer
- Federico Malvestiti (2000), racing driver
International relations
Monza is twinned with:
- Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
- Prague, Czech Republic
See also
References
- ^ "Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011". Italian National Institute of Statistics. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
- ^ Population data from
- ^ "Monza". The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (5th ed.). HarperCollins. Retrieved May 30, 2019.
- ^ "Monza". Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. Retrieved May 30, 2019.
- ^ "Clima Monza - Medie climatiche". Il Meteo.It. February 17, 2003. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
- ^ "The Park of Monza". Tourism Monza. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
- ^ "Italian Grand Prix History". enterF1.com. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
- ^ "Steward killed at Monza F1 race". The Herald Scotland. September 11, 2000. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
- ^ "When Wolfgang Von Trips was killed at Monza". September 10, 2011. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
Sources
- AA.VV. Biographic Dictionary of Italians. Rome, 1960 (Aliprandi Pinalla).
- AA.VV. Church of St. Mark in Milan. Milan, 1998. Pag. 56–57 (Aliprandi Martino).
- Il Duomo di Monza, 1300–2000, VII Centenary of foundation. Silvana Ed., 1999.