Information, secrets and curiosities of the royal villa of Monza and its inhabitants

Villa Reale di Monza - The royal villa of Monza was built at the behest of Maria Theresa of Austria, in the 18th century. The building is in neoclassical style and was the residence first of the Habsburgs, then of the viceroy with the Napoleonic Kingdom of Italy and finally of the Savoy family. After them the building lost its original function and today it is the seat of the artistic high school as well as of various exhibitions and events.

The empress had it built for her son who was looking for a summer residence, and Monza was probably chosen for the salubrity of the air, but also because it is located on an imaginary axis that connects Milan to Vienna, strengthening the bond between the two cities. The construction and design assignment is given to the well-known architect Giuseppe Piermarini who was inspired by a well-known Austrian castle for the U-shape of the building, and by the Royal Palace of Caserta for the gardens. All very spectacular with 700 rooms and 22 thousand square meters. It was Eugenio di Beauharnais who commissioned the construction of a park adjacent to the gardens, now known as Parco di Monza. Umberto I, together with his wife Margherita di Savoia, are the best known couple who stayed in the villa. Not only Umberto who distinguished himself for his heroic actions, but also his wife who became an icon of style and a woman loved by the people.