Monza Things to Do

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The Church of Santa Maria in Strada was built in the mid of 14th century, over the pre-excisting Franciscan convent. The bell tower was added in the beginning of the 15th century. The church was subsequently enlarged and enriched, in particularly in early 17th century by order of archbishop Carlo Borromeo. The interior has a retangular hall a semi-octagonal choir and the presbytery.

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Arengario is well preserved 13th century construction situated in the central part of "citta storica", at Piazza Roma. Its name is derivated after original function of the building which used to the the town hall.
Those who visited Milano could clearly notice that the architecture of Arengario was inspired by Palazzo della Ragione, the same portico surmounted by the upper floor that was used for councils. Later in the 14th century the small laggia was added to the main building, known as La Parlera, where the commune's decrees were declaimed to the population. In the same period the bell tower was added aswell, decorated by the characteristic Ghibelline styled merlons.

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Santa Maria del Carrobiolo was built from 1232 up to 1260, but not many of its original aspect was preserved, except for the abside and the bell tower. During centuries it was reconstructed several times but the biggest reconstruction work was done in the 16th century. The church contains many important frescoes made by Andrea Porta, Gerolamo Grandi, Moncalvo and others.

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I'm sure there are hundreds of female members out there who will have a virtual fit at me giving this tip such a girly title, but I'm a girly girl and F1 wouldn't normally be my "thing".

However, a friend longed to go and, after much persuasion and a little bribery ("Monza is sooo close to the fashion capital of Milan" etc etc) I tripped off to Monza for three days of F1.

Theretofore, F1 for me was represented by Scalextrix sets and annoying Sunday afternoons watching my boyfriend watching those little cars go round and round and....

The reality is quite different! Oh the absolute thrill of it all. You get a bus or coach to somewhere supposedly close to the stadium, then walk for miles in high spirited crowds, and take your seat to watch the cars go round and round. Yes, that's exactly what they do - it's just as you see it on the TV, but in reality the roar of the engines, the occasional crash and burst of smoke right in front of you, the excitement as you cheer on your little team (whichever car you have decided to champion for the weekend), celeb spotting, the roars of the Vodafone crowd - it's magical and breathtaking and thrilling.

Hey, this is from me - a total novice!

In addition to this there's the incredible cameraderie that springs up between the individual groups of international fans. As you wait each morning at Milan Centro for your connecting train to Monza, you will be approached by some little group asking if you're Irish (or whatever) too and striking up an instant conversation and a bond that lasts the train ride, or the day, or maybe even into a drink or a meal that evening when the track is cooling and the excitement is calmed for another day.

On the last day as I sat on a bus taking me from the Stadium to the train station, I was convinced I saw Michael Schumaker all in black leather dismounting a motorcycle and entering a little neighbouring shop. My friend told me it was my imagination, but later an avid fan told me Schumie does that sometimes. It was the icing on the cake for me :-)

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The Cathedral and its square were the centre of religious and political life of Monza. The town rises up around its ancient nucleus "oraculum" of the Queen Teodolinda, who ruled here in the 6th century.
The huge complex of Duomo dates to the period of Visconti family, medieval rulers of Milano and whole Lombardy. It has a plan of basilica with three naves, side chapels and chorus. The stunning Gothic facade dates to 1300 and is work of great master Matteo da Campione, while the bell tower was added later on (1592-1606).

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It is quite unusual name for the tower, named after the street where it is situated.
The Tower in Lambro Street, even tall and massive in its construction, cannot be seen from the distance because the new structure of the town absorbed it completely. In fact, you can find it only by chance when strolling around side streets of the Cathedral. It is the only remaining defending tower, a part of the medieval city walls.

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Torre Visconteo (the Visconti Tower) is the only remaining medieval gateway into the town. It was a part of the massive town walls built in the period when Visconti family ruled here.
It is almost hidden and not easy to find, situated outside the medieval structure of the town.

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Tempio di San Gerardino is an small medieval chapel situated in the courtyard of the San Gerardino Hospital. The chapel is, architecturaly, very beautiful and perfectly matches inside the hospital complex. Unfortunately, it was closed by the time of my day-trip visit.