Royal Villa of Monza, Italy: Off The Beaten Path
An 11-minute train ride from Milan Centrale, the Royal Villa of Monza offers a stately visit with sculpted gardens, vast lawns and, of course, the magnificent palace! Home to over 4,000 varieties of roses as well as an orangerie, you can be sure that the air is sweet-smelling and the gardens are picture-worthy.
Sitting on the banks of the Lambro river, and at the foot of the hills of Brianza, the English-styled gardens were designed by Giuseppe Piermarini and feature extensive topiary and manicured bushes. The palace is just as impressive with 700 rooms, all decorated in opulent fashion of the time. With an ambitious U-shaped layout, the Royal Villa of Monza is striking to say the least. When visiting, be sure to seek out the small court theatre as well as Appiani’s rotunda, which is located next to the orangery.
With sweeping architecture (26 arched south-facing windows), the orangery makes a romantic statement as it faces the the main courtyard. Added to the original structure in 1790, the orangery housed various kinds of citrus trees, exotic plants and rare botanical collections. Today, the space is home to a museum and is frequently rented out for exhibits, shows and galleries.
Built between 1777 and 1780, the Royal Villa served as a vacation home for the Archduke Ferdinand of Habsburg, gifted to him by his mother, the Empress Maria Theresa of Austria. Not only was the location a picturesque one, but it was strategic as well; positioned along the Milan-Vienna route, the palace complex hosted various royalty and dignitaries visiting Italy throughout the centuries.
Featured image: © Xiaoma | Dreamstime