Parco di Monza

The Parco di Monza was laid-out following the completion of a grandiose neoclassical complex, designed in 1777 by architect Piermarini on the orders of the Empress Maria Teresa of Austria, for her son Archduke Ferdinand. The structure was built on the road from the capital of Lombardy-Veneto to Austria. The villa is preceded by a magnificent avenue which may have been inspired by the Palace at Versailles. The Parco di Monza was personally laid-out by Napoleon in 1805, extending the gardens at the Villa Reale, with a view to making it a model estate and hunting grounds. Today the area is surrounded by a massive 14 km long wall. The garden's history is suggested in the 17th century forest lay-out, by the 18th century arrangement and by the romantic and picturesque overtones of the paths and vistas. The green area covers around 600 hectares in all and currently boasts a school and college of farming, a hippodrome, a racetrack, as well as several other buildings for entertainment. The most prized and original features are the courtyards alongside the villa, the small theatre, the conservatories, the stables, the "La Rotonda" pavilion and a pool in the landscape garden.