Editing Monza (section)

== Main sights ==
In the course of its history, Monza withstood thirty-two sieges, but the [[Porta d'Agrate, Monza|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 (Manzoni novel)|I Promessi Sposi]]''.

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 also includes the following buildings:
*[[Santa Maria in Strada]]: a medieval church with a rich terra-cotta façade (1393)
*''Broletto'' or ''[[Arengario (Monza)|Arengario]]'': the 14th-century palace of the civic commune, raised on an arcade of pointed arches, with a tall square machiolated tower terminating in a sharp central cone.
*[[San Pietro Martire, Monza|San Pietro Martire]]
*[[Santa Maria delle Grazie, Monza|Santa Maria delle Grazie]]: 15th-century church
*Oratory of St. Gregory (17th century)
*[[Santa Maria al Carrobiolo, Monza|Santa Maria al Carrobiolo]]: 16th-century church
*[[Expiatory Chapel of Monza]] (''Cappella Espiatoria''): Memorial chapel built in 1900 in memory of the assassinated King [[Umberto I of Italy]] 
*[[Royal Villa of Monza|Royal Villa]]: Villa built during the period of Austrian rule in the Duchy of Milan.
*[[Monza Park]] and the gardens of the Royal Palace are among the largest in Europe to be enclosed by walls. The park has an area of approximately {{convert|685|ha|acre|abbr=off}} and is located in the northern part of the city, between 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]].