Palace of Monza, Royal residence and museum in Monza, Italy
The Palace of Monza is a neoclassical building with five floors and around 700 rooms that rises beside the Lambro river and functions as a museum. The structure spans a large area and houses extensive art collections from different periods.
Austrian Empress Maria Theresa commissioned the palace in 1777 as a summer residence for her son Archduke Ferdinand, and architect Giuseppe Piermarini completed it in 1780. The construction reflects the political importance of Lombardy within the Habsburg realm.
The palace displays Habsburg power through its rooms and art collections that visitors can still admire today. The decoration and furnishings tell the story of a time when European royal families lived and ruled from such grand spaces.
Visitors can explore the building on most weekdays, though opening hours vary by season so it is wise to check ahead. Access is on foot through the adjoining parks and proximity to the city center makes getting there straightforward.
The palace connects to Monza Park, which was enclosed during the Napoleonic era with a long wall to create one of Europe's largest walled gardens. This combination of building and garden offers visitors a vast, connected area to explore.
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