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{{Short description|Comune of Lombardy, Italy}}
{{About|the city|the race circuit|Monza Circuit|other uses}}
{{More citations needed|date=September 2015}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2013}}
{{Infobox Italian comune
| name                = Monza
| official_name       = Comune di Monza
| native_name         = {{native name|lmo|Monscia}}
| image_skyline       = {{multiple image
| border              = infobox
| total_width         = 300
| image_style         = border:1;
| perrow              = 2/3/2
| image1              = Reggia di Monza.jpg
| image2              = Monza Duomo di San Giovanni Battista Esterno Facciata Frontone 1.jpg
| image3              = Monumento - panoramio (18).jpg
| image4              = Cappella Espiatoria di Monza a memoria di re Umberto I (1910), colonna.jpg
| image5              = MonzaArengario.jpg
| image6              = Autodromo Nazionale Monza, April 22, 2018 SkySat (cropped).jpg
| image7              = Monza Park 8964.jpg
}}
| imagesize           = 
| image_alt           = 
| image_caption       = '''From top, left to right''': Royal Villa of Monza; Monza Cathedral; Monumento ai Caduti; Expiatory Chapel of Monza; Arengario; Monza Circuit; and Monza Park
| image_flag          = Monza-Bandiera (v2).svg
| image_shield        = Coat of Arms of Monza.svg
| shield_alt          = 
| image_map           = 
| map_alt             = 
| map_caption         = 
| pushpin_label_position = 
| pushpin_map_alt     = 
| coordinates         = {{coord|45|35|01|N|09|16|25|E|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates_footnotes = 
| region              = [[Lombardy]]
| province            = [[Province of Monza e Brianza|Monza and Brianza]] (MB)
| frazioni            = 
| mayor_party         = [[Democratic Party (Italy)|PD]]
| mayor               = Paolo Pilotto
| area_footnotes      = 
| area_total_km2      = 33.03
| population_footnotes = <ref>[http://dati.istat.it/Index.aspx?QueryId=18462 Population data from]</ref>
| population_total    = 124398
| population_as_of    = 31 August 2020
| pop_density_footnotes = 
| population_demonym  = Monzesi
| elevation_footnotes = 
| elevation_m         = 162
| twin1               = 
| twin1_country       = 
|istat=| saint        = [[Saint John the Baptist]], [[Saint Gerardo dei Tintori]]
| day                 = 24 June, 6 June
| postal_code         = 20900
| area_code           = 039
| website             = {{official website|http://www.comune.monza.it}}
| footnotes           = 
}}

'''Monza''' ({{IPAc-en|UK|ˈ|m|ɒ|n|z|ə}},<ref>{{cite LPD|2|Monza}}</ref> {{IPAc-en|US|ˈ|m|ɒ|n|z|ə|,_|ˈ|m|oʊ|n|z|ə|,_|ˈ|m|oʊ|n|t|s|ɑː}},<ref>{{Cite American Heritage Dictionary|Monza|access-date=30 May 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite Merriam-Webster|Monza|access-date=30 May 2019}}</ref> {{IPA|it|ˈmontsa|lang|It-Monza.ogg}}; {{langx|lmo|label=[[Lombard language|Lombard]]|Monça}}, locally {{lang|lmo|Monscia}} {{IPA|lmo|ˈmũːʃa|}}; {{langx|la|Modoetia}}) is a city and ''[[comune]]'' (municipality) on the [[Lambro|River Lambro]], a [[tributary]] of the [[Po (river)|River Po]], in the [[Lombardy]] region of [[Italy]], about {{convert|15|km|0|abbr=off}} north-northeast of [[Milan]]. It is the capital of the [[province of Monza and Brianza]]. Monza is best known for its [[Grand Prix motor racing]] circuit, the {{Lang|it|[[Autodromo Nazionale di Monza]]|italic=no}}, which hosts the [[Formula One]] [[Italian Grand Prix]].{{Historical populations|1861|24499|1871|25266|1881|26807|1901|41218|1911|51655|1921|54617|1931|61516|1936|65052|1951|73114|1961|84445|1971|114327|1981|123145|1991|120651|2001|120204|2011|119856|2021|121984|type=|footnote=Source: [[Istituto Nazionale di Statistica|ISTAT]]}}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 [[Lombardy]], between [[Brianza]] and [[Milan]], at an altitude of {{convert|162|m|0|abbr=off}} [[above mean sea level|above sea level]]. It is {{convert|15|km|0}} from the centre of the region's capital, although when considering the cities borders, they are separated by less than {{convert|5|km|0|abbr=in}}. Monza is about {{convert|40|km|0|abbr=on}} from [[Lecco]] and [[Como]]. Monza shares its position with Milan in the same metro area, and is a big part of its new province.

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 sub [[mediterranean climate]] of the [[Po valley]], with cool, short winters and warm summers; temperatures are very similar to nearby [[Milan]], averaging {{convert|2|°C|0|abbr=on}} in January, the coldest month, to about {{convert|23|°C|0|abbr=on}} in July, the warmest.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ilmeteo.it/portale/medie-climatiche/Monza |title=Clima Monza - Medie climatiche |publisher=Il Meteo.It |date=2003-02-17 |access-date=2015-09-19}}</ref> 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 ===
[[File:Iron Crown.JPG|thumb|left|The [[Iron Crown]]]]
Funerary [[urn]]s found in the late 19th century show that humans were in the area dating at the least to the [[Bronze Age]], when people would have lived in [[pile dwellings|pile dwelling]] settlements raised above the rivers and marshes.

During the [[Roman Empire]], Monza was known as '''''Modicia'''''. During the 3rd century [[Common Era|BCE]], the [[Ancient Rome|Romans]] subdued the [[Insubria|Insubres]], a [[Gauls|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 [[Kingdom of the Lombards|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 [[Castra|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, Holy Roman Emperor|Otto II]] inside the walled city. The Glossary of Monza, one of the earliest examples of the evolution of the [[Lombard language]], probably dates to the early 10th century. In 1000 Emperor [[Otto III, Holy Roman Emperor|Otto III]] became the protector of Monza and its possessions: [[Bulciago]], [[Cremella]], [[Lurago d'Erba|Lurago]], [[Locate Varesino|Locate]] and [[Garlate]].

In 1018, [[Aribert, Archbishop of Milan|Aribert]] (970–1045), Lord of Monza, was consecrated bishop of [[Bishopric of Milan|Milan]], resulting in the city losing its independence from its rival. These years saw a power struggle between the emperor [[Conrad II, Holy Roman Emperor|Conrad II]], and Aribert. When the emperor died, he left important donations to the church of Monza.

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 Germany|Conrad III]] of Hohenstaufen was crowned King of [[Kingdom of Italy|Italy]] in the Church of San Michele at Monza.

In 1136 emperor [[Lothair III, Holy Roman 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.

[[Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor|Frederick I Barbarossa]] visited Monza twice (1158 and 1163). During this period the city again regained its independence from Milan, a city hostile to the emperor. Frederick declared that Monza was his property and also gave the ''Curraria'' (the right to levy customs on the streets), a right usually granted only to royal seats.

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, Holy Roman Emperor|Henry VI]], son of Barbarossa, was crowned king at Monza, on the occasion of his marriage to Queen [[Constance I of Sicily|Constanza]] of [[Kingdom of Sicily|Sicily]], heir to the Norman kingdom.

As early as the 12th century, Monza was a fortified place, although the status of [[Italian city-states|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 [[Guelphs and Ghibellines|Ghibellines]], and in 1259 and [[Ezzelino III da Romano]] tried to seize the [[Visconti Castle (Monza)|castle of Monza]] but was repelled; the village was set on fire.

After the decisive 1277 victory of the Visconti at the [[Battle of Desio]], Monza was occupied by Archbishop [[Ottone Visconti]] and the Marquis of [[March of Montferrat|Montferrat]], [[William VII of Montferrat|William VII]] (1278). The following year, the town was declared a possession of the people of Milan.

=== 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 (died 1349)|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 [[Visconti Castle (Monza)|castle]], the third in Monza. It included a {{convert|42|m|0}} 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, Holy Roman 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 [[Gian Galeazzo Visconti]] donated the castle to his wife Catherine, who died there after having been jailed by her son [[Giovanni Maria Visconti|Giovanni Maria]] (1404). In 1407 [[Estorre Visconti]] was proclaimed Lord of Monza and began minting Monza's own coinage.

[[Antonio de Leyva, Duke of Terranova|Antonio de Leyva]], the Spanish governor of Milan and commander of the imperial troops, sacked the city in 1527. In the same year, a mine exploded causing the partial destruction of the Castle of Monza. De Leyva became Lord of Monza in 1529, devoting himself to the government regulation of ecclesiastical affairs, controlling their taxes and duties and shutting the doors of those who did not pay. His relative [[Marianna de Leyva]] was the inspiration to [[Alessandro Manzoni]] for his Nun of Monza.

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 [[Italian campaigns of the French Revolutionary Wars|Italian campaign]] of [[Napoleon|Napoleon Bonaparte]] (1796), the Duchy of Milan was acquired first by the French Republic and then entered the [[Cisalpine Republic]] (which, in 1802, became the [[Italian Republic (1802-1805)|Italian Republic]]).

=== 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 [[Bibliothèque nationale de France|National Library]] in Paris. The Iron Crown was left provisionally in Monza.

In 1805, the Italian Republic became the [[Kingdom of Italy (Napoleonic)|Kingdom of Italy]] with its capital in Milan. On 26 May 1805, the Iron Crown was in Milan for the coronation of [[Napoleon Bonaparte]], who put it on his head, uttering the famous phrase "God gave it to me, woe to anyone who touches it." Napoleon also established the [[Order of the Iron Crown]]. Monza received the title of Imperial City. The Viceroy of Italy, [[Eugène de Beauharnais]], was appointed in August 1805 and he settled in the Villa of Monza. In 1807 the castle was demolished.

In the fall of the First Empire (1815), Austria annexed the Italian territories to the Kingdom of [[Lombardy-Venetia]], Monza being included in the province of Milan. The Monzesi asked for the restoration of all the treasures taken by the French. In 1816 the city returned the possession of the books of the Treasury and Chapter Library. The Crown of Agilulf, however, had been melted in [[Paris]].

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 [[Second Italian War of Independence]], Lombardy became part of the [[Kingdom of Sardinia (1720–1861)|Kingdom of Sardinia]]. But the treasure and the Iron Crown had been transferred to Vienna by the Austrians and was returned to Monza only after the conclusion of the [[Third War of Italian Independence]] (December 1866).

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 [[Umberto I]] by anarchist [[Gaetano Bresci]]. To commemorate the spot of the crime, his successor [[Victor Emmanuel III]] ordered the construction of an [[Expiatory Chapel of Monza|Expiatory Chapel]] on Via Matteo da Campione.

=== 20th century ===
[[File:MB-Gianni-Citterio-targa-1944.jpg|thumb|right|Plaque dedicated to Gianni Citterio, fallen partisan and recipient of the Gold Medal of Military Valor during the Second World War]]
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 war]]s, 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 [[Second World War]], between 1940 and 1945, caused several bombings of Monza, with civilian casualties; after the September 1943 [[Armistice between Italy and Allied armed forces|Italian Armistice]], the area was occupied by the Germans.

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 ===
[[File:Monza tunnel viale Lombardia.jpg|thumb|right|The Tunnel of Monza, completed in 2013]]
At the beginning of the century, Monza had about 120,000 inhabitants. The city became the capital of the [[Province of Monza and Brianza]] on 11 June 2004. In 2009–2013 a tunnel was built to supplement the Viale Lombardia ([[SS36]] national road), one of the busiest streets in Europe.

== Government ==
{{See also|List of mayors of Monza}}

== Main sights ==
[[File:Map of Monza 2008 Touring Club Italiano TCI Monza GRr2012.tif|thumb|Map of city centre]]

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 [[Alessandro Manzoni|Manzoni]]'s ''[[The Betrothed]]''.

Monza is known for its [[Romanesque architecture|Romanesque]]-[[Gothic architecture|Gothic]] style [[Monza Cathedral|Cathedral of Saint John]] (''Duomo''). The black-and-white marble arcaded façade was erected in the mid-14th century by Matteo da Campione. The campanile was erected in 1606 to designs by [[Pellegrino Tibaldi]].

The cathedral encloses the ''Chapel of Theodelinda'', a centrally-planned Greek-cross ''oraculum'' ("chapel of prayer") dated to {{Circa|595}}. The foundations remain under the crossing of [[nave]] and [[transept]], but at the close of the 13th century, the chapel was enlarged by enclosing the former atrium within the building. The frescoed chapel houses the [[Iron Crown of Lombardy]], said to include one of the nails used at the Crucifixion of Jesus. The treasury also contains the crown, fan and gold comb of [[Theodelinda]], and, as well as Gothic crosses and reliquaries, a golden hen and seven chickens, representing Lombardy and her seven provinces. Though the interior has suffered changes, there is a fine relief by Matteo da Campione representing a royal Lombard coronation, and some 15th-century frescoes with scenes from the life of Theodelinda.

The historical centre of Monza also includes the following landmarks:

* ''[[Santa Maria in Strada]]'' – A medieval church with a richly decorated terra-cotta façade, completed in 1393.
* ''Broletto or [[Arengario (Monza)|Arengario]]'' – The 14th-century town hall, featuring a loggia with pointed arches and a tall, square, machicolated tower topped by a sharp central spire.
* ''San Pietro Martire'' – A historic church in the city centre.
* ''Santa Maria delle Grazie'' – A 15th-century church.
* ''Oratory of St. Gregory'' – A small Baroque oratory built in the 17th century.
* ''Santa Maria al Carrobiolo'' – A 16th-century church associated with the Barnabite order.
* ''[[Expiatory Chapel of Monza|Expiatory Chapel]]'' (''Cappella Espiatoria'') – Built in 1900 to commemorate the assassination of King [[Umberto I of Italy]].
* ''[[Royal Villa of Monza|Royal Villa]]'' – A neoclassical villa constructed during Austrian rule over the Duchy of Milan.
* ''[[Monza Park]] and the Royal Gardens'' – Among the largest walled parks in Europe, covering an area of approximately {{convert|685|ha|acre|abbr=off}}. Located in the northern part of the city, it borders the towns of [[Lesmo]], [[Villasanta]], [[Vedano al Lambro]], and [[Biassono]].

Other villas includes the Mirabello, Mirabellino, Durini, Crivelli Mesmer, Prata, [[Villa Archinto Pennati, Monza|Villa Archinto Pennati]], Calloni and [[Villa Carminati-Ferrario]].

<gallery>
File:Duomo di monza, retro, scavi 0.JPG|Late Roman [[nymphaeum]] at the House of Decumani
File:Monza Park 8964.jpg|Monza Park
File:Agricoltura Monzese.JPG|Museum of Rural Civilisation
File:02 Monza Cappella espiatoria.JPG|The Cappella Espiatoria
File:Santa Maria Strada Monza.jpg|The Church of Santa Maria in Strada
File:Monza, Duomo.jpg|The Duomo (Cathedral)
File:MonzaArengario.jpg|The [[Arengario (Monza)|Arengario]]
File:Santa Maria delle Grazie Monza 01.JPG|Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie
File:Ponte dei Leoni 1.jpg|Bridge of Lions
File:Villoresi Park view.jpg|[[Villoresi Park]]
File:Rio Lambro.jpg|River Lambro
</gallery>

== Culture and education ==

=== Cuisine ===
[[File:Cassoeula.jpg|thumb|right|A pot of [[cassoeula]]]]
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 [[University of Milan Bicocca]] located in Monza: the faculty of Medicine and Surgery and the Faculty of [[Sociology]].

=== Museums ===
The Duomo's (Cathedral) Museum collection is home to early medieval treasures from the time of Queen [[Theodelinda]], including the gilt silver "Hen with Chicks", the Cross of Agilulf, and the [[Iron Crown of Lombardy|Iron Crown]]; there are also pieces from the late medieval, modern and contemporary ages.

=== 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 ==
[[File:Palazzetto monza.jpg|thumb|right|Monza Arena]]
[[File:Stadio Brianteo 2014.jpg|thumb|right|Stadio Brianteo]]
=== Monza Circuit ===
Monza is internationally known for the {{Lang|it|[[Autodromo Nazionale di Monza]]|italic=no}} [[motor racing]] circuit, home to the [[Italian Grand Prix]] usually held in September, and previously to the [[Alfa Romeo in motorsport|Alfa Romeo]] team. Meanwhile, the Golf Club Milano is a golf course that has hosted nine editions of the [[Italian Open (golf)|Italian Open]]. Both are located inside the [[Monza Park]], which comprises 688 ha.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Park of Monza|url=https://turismo.monza.it/en/things-to-do/1762-park-monza|website=Tourism Monza|access-date=27 August 2020}}</ref>

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 Italian Grand Prix|1966]], the local support is for the [[Scuderia Ferrari|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 Formula One season|1979]] title in [[1979 Italian Grand Prix|that event]] among other historical wins such as the Ferrari 1-2 finish against the odds in [[1988 Italian Grand Prix|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 Italian Grand Prix|2008]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.enterf1.com/italian-grand-prix/gp-history-and-memorable-moments|title=Italian Grand Prix History|access-date=27 August 2020|website = enterF1.com}}</ref>

The event has been marred by tragedy several times, involving driver fatalities such as [[Wolfgang von Trips]], [[Jochen Rindt]] and [[Ronnie Peterson]], but also a fatal accident involving a trackside marshal in [[2000 Italian Grand Prix|2000]], and multiple spectators being killed in von Trips' fatal accident in [[1961 Italian Grand Prix|1961]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12163674.monza-steward-killed-and-coulthard-inches-from-death-in-five-car-pile-up/|title=Steward killed at Monza F1 race|date=11 September 2000|access-date=27 August 2020|website=The Herald Scotland}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racefans.net/2011/09/10/1961-italian-grand-prix/|title=When Wolfgang Von Trips was killed at Monza|date=10 September 2011|access-date=27 August 2020}}</ref> Monza is an extremely fast circuit that has been modified with three chicanes to curb speeds, but is still the fastest circuit on the Formula One calendar and is considered too fast to be considered to host [[MotoGP]] and no longer holds [[Superbike World Championship]] events either. When it hosted the [[Italian motorcycle Grand Prix]] it saw a double fatal accident for [[Jarno Saarinen]] and [[Renzo Pasolini]] in 1973 after a pile-up through the dauntingly fast ''Curva Grande'', that has since had significant runoff added to it. Italy's last Formula One champion [[Alberto Ascari]] also died at the Monza circuit in 1955, but it was during a test of a road car rather than during a race.

=== Other ===
Monza's professional [[association football|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 ([[Campionato Primavera 1|Primavera 1]]).

Monza-based [[Volley Milano|Vero Volley]] plays in the [[Lega Pallavolo Serie A|Serie A1]], the top division for men's volleyball in Italy, since 2014. They play at the [[Monza Arena]]. Their [[Unione Sportiva Pro Victoria Pallavolo Monza|women's team]] also plays at the Monza Arena in the women's [[Italian Women's Volleyball League|Serie A1]].

In 2006 Monza hosted the [[World Cyber Games]] tournament.{{Citation needed|date=June 2009}} 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|date=June 2009}}

== Transport ==

=== Rail ===
[[File:Station of Monza ext.jpg|thumb|right|Monza railway station]]
[[Monza railway station]] is the most important [[junction (rail)|railway junction]] in the Brianza area. Travel between Monza and Milan via the [[Milan-Monza railway line|Milan - Monza railway]] can be made both with [[Milan S Lines|suburban]] (lines S7, S8, S9 and S11) and regional trains, that furthermore connect Monza to [[Lecco railway station|Lecco]]/[[Sondrio railway station|Sondrio]], [[Como]], [[Chiasso railway station|Chiasso]]/[[Lugano railway station|Lugano]] (CH), [[Bergamo]] and [[Saronno]] (via the [[Saronno–Seregno railway|Saronno - Seregno railway]]). Also, some [[EuroCity]] trains stop in Monza. In early 2008, work began on the expansion of Milan [[Line M1 - Milan Subway (Metropolitana di Milano)|subway Line M1]] from Sesto San Giovanni to Monza Bettola, while works for the Line [[Milan Metro Line 5|M5]] extension from Milan to Monza railway station and the rest of the city, with 8 new stops through the city of Monza, started in 2024.

Monza railway station is located on Enrico Arosio Road, on the southern edge of the historic city centre.

=== Roads ===
Monza can be reached through the following motorways: [[A4 motorway (Italy)|A4]]-[[European route E64|E64]] (Turin-Milan-Venice), A52 (North Ring of Milan), A51 (East Ring of Milan). State road ([[SS36]] – Nuova Valassina) connects the city to [[Lecco]] and [[Sondrio]]. A {{convert|2|km|mi|abbr=on}} 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 ==
* [[Theodoric the Great]] (454–526), King of [[Kingdom of the Ostrogoths|Ostrogoths]]
* [[Agilulf]] ({{circa|550–616}}), King of [[Kingdom of the Lombards|Lombardy]]
* [[Theodelinda]] ({{circa|570–628}}), Queen of Lombardy
* [[Gundeberga]] ({{circa|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]] ({{circa|845–924}}), King of Italy
* [[Saint Gerardo dei Tintori]] ({{circa|1134 or 1140–1207}}), saint
* [[Bonincontro Morigia]] (14th century), historical writer
* [[Giuseppe Arcimboldo]] (1527–1593), painter
* [[Giovanni Battista Ala]] (c. 1598–c.1630), composer and organist
* [[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]] (born 1941), painter
* [[Adriano Galliani]] (born 1944), football manager
* [[Daniele Massaro]] (born 1961), footballer
* [[Filippo Galli]] (born 1963), footballer
* [[Fabrizio Barbazza]] (born 1963), F1 racer
* [[Gianni Bugno]] (born 1964), cyclist
* [[Marco Monti]] (born 1964), footballer and youth coach
* [[Francesco Antonioli]] (born 1969), footballer
* [[Pierluigi Casiraghi]] (born 1969), footballer
* [[Marco Castoldi]] (born 1972), singer
* [[Massimo Brambilla]] (born 1973), footballer
* [[Ewn Garabandal]] (born 1978), novelist
* [[Stefano Mauri]] (born 1980), footballer
* [[Matteo Pessina]] (born 1997), footballer
* [[Celeste Dalla Porta]] (born 1997), actress
* [[Federico Malvestiti]] (born 2000), racing driver
* [[Nikolaj Memola]] (born 2003), figure skater
* [[Mattia Colnaghi]] (born 2008), racing driver

== International relations ==
Monza is [[Sister city|twinned]] with:

*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Indianapolis, Indiana]], U.S.
*{{flagicon|CZE}} [[Prague]], Czech Republic

==See also==
* [[Gothic art and architecture in Monza]]
{{Portal|Italy|European Union|Cities}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==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.

==External links==
{{Commons category|Monza}}
{{wikivoyage|Monza}}
* [http://www.comune.monza.it/ Official website]
* [https://www.monzamobilita.it/ Monza Mobilita (Transportation)]
* [http://www.provincia.mb.it/ Province of Monza and Brianza]
* [http://www.unimib.it/ Official website of the University of Milano-Bicocca]

{{Province of Monza and Brianza}}
{{Cities in Italy}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Monza| ]]
[[Category:Populated places on Brianza]]