Palazzo Frette

Palazzo Frette is a palazzo in Monza featuring two symmetrical towers and a central circular hall, with its main entrance marked by a large eagle with spread wings. The structure combines multiple architectural styles in an eclectic composition that blends different design traditions.

Count Ercole Durini commissioned architect Carlo Amati to build this structure in 1851 on the site of the former Visconti Castle. The building underwent major expansions that changed its footprint while maintaining its original design vision.

The building shows how Monza attracted wealthy families in the 1800s who expressed their status through grand architecture. Its mixed design style reflects the city's role as a center for both aristocracy and emerging business.

The palazzo is located at Largo Giuseppe Mazzini 1 and houses a department store that welcomes visitors to explore its spaces. You can walk through the building to see the architectural details from different angles and vantage points.

The Frette textile company purchased the building in 1860 and enlarged it dramatically in 1911 by adding a second tower. This expansion mirrored Amati's original design concept, creating a more balanced architectural composition than before.