Besides the Formula 1 race track and the cathedral, you should definitely take a walk through the Park of Monza. Even in winter it is beautiful and relaxing here.
The park of Monza was created by order of Napoleon in 1805. The park is completely surrounded by a wall and has only a few entrance gates. This makes it possible to close the park at night.
In the past, the park was used as a recreation area for the royal nobility. It was a popular hunting ground.
A walk in the park can take a while. The area is really huge, namely 688 hectares. One can discover numerous plant and animal species. But the visitor will also find some buildings. There are farms, three mills and the Villa Reale to discover.
We didn’t even come close to discovering everything on our way to the Formula 1 circuit through the Monza park. But what we saw we liked very much.
Villa Reale
Villa Reale is best reached from the entrance of Viale Brianza. The Austrian Empress Maria Theresa had the building built as a summer residence for her son Ferdinand in 1777 – 1780. The villa is huge, besides the central representative part of the building there are two side wings. There are almost 700 rooms!
You can visit the villa. During our day trip to Monza, the focus was on visiting the Formula 1 racetrack. So retrospectively, too bad, because the pictures I have seen from the Villa Reale suggest that the visit would have been worthwhile. But that can be made up for!
We only looked at the Villa Reale in the park of Monza from the outside. I think the sight does not suggest what splendor is hidden inside.
Villa Mirabellino
We were somewhat disappointed at the sight of Villa Mirabellino. The villa was built in 1776 in neoclassical style, the interiors are said to have been heavily modified.
We had read that the footpath to the race track should definitely lead past the villa. And then we stand in front of a dilapidated building. Here, everything is decaying, the building fabric, the exterior and thus also our impression. A great pity!
Villa Mirabello
Villa Mirabello is connected to Villa Mirabellino by a beech grove. It was built in the 17th century as a U-shaped complex open to the river. In 1768 Cardinal Durini restored the building and made it a place of “luxury”. Some of the frescoes are still preserved today.
Today, Villa Mirabello in the park of Monza is much better preserved than its “smaller sister”. There are horses in the adjacent stables and the rooms seem to be used.
Park visitors will find a free public toilet here.
Sport in the park of Monza
Now that the park is no longer used only by its owners, but is open to the public, much has changed. Thus, over the years, Monza Park has become a popular place for sports lovers. There are numerous sporting activities on offer here.
Running tracks
There are four well-marked running routes, indicated by arrows on the asphalt surface, panels with signs or small wooden pyramids. Each course is color-coded: yellow for the 3 kilometer course, blue for the 5 kilometer loop, red for the 10 kilometer course and green for the royal half marathon (21.097 km). This route is the only official permanent half marathon in Italy.
Vehicle rental Cascina Bastia
At the vehicle rental you can rent bicycles, scooters, tandem and hackney carriages.
Opening hours
Saturday, Sundays and holidays: 9 am until the park closes.
- 3. – 15. 5. and 15.9.- 31.10. : 14 – 19 o’clock
- 5. – 14.9. : 10 a.m. until the park closes
Closed on Monday and in case of bad weather
Golf Club
The Golf Club Milano was founded in 1928. The 18-hole course is also available to visitors by appointment. A minimum handicap of 34 is required.
Swimming pool
Near the autodrome, there is an outdoor swimming pool with a 50 m pool. The entrance is near the entrance Santa Maria alle Selve.
Opening hours
June – end of August: 10 am – 7 pm
National Autodrom
In 1922, the Autodrome in Monza was opened. The Italian Automobile Club “ACI” wanted to provide a race track for trials and races and had a high-speed ring built with a track length of 10 kilometers. There is an Infopoint on the site. Here you can not only book guided tours of the site, you can also book rides on the racetrack. We started our tour of the racetrack from here.
Opening hours Autodrom:
daily 7-19
Opening hours Infopoint:
daily 10 – 18
Address Park of Monza:
Viale Cesare Battisti,
20900 Monza MB,
Italy
Opening hours:
daily
Winter: 7-19
summer: 7-21.30
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