DUOMO

In the centre of Monza stands the Gothic Duomo, for a long time the seat of the ecclesiastical chapter of the city and witness to many historical events. The cathedral stands on the site of a previous Lombard chapel built in the 6th century and dedicated by Queen Theodelinde to St John the Baptist. The building was enlarged and redesigned several times before being replaced by the present structure around 1300. The work undertaken by the Visconti lords of Milan continued throughout the 14th century. The remarkable green and white bichrome façade, the work of the architect and sculptor Matteo da Campione, dates from this period. The interior is a real treasure chest.

Chapel of Theodelinde. To the left of the presbytery, the Chapel of Theodelinde bears witness to the richness of the Gothic pictorial decoration of the time. The work of the Zavattari brothers (1441-1446), the cycle of frescoes that recount the story of the Lombard queen decorates the entire walls. 45 episodes unfold from top to bottom, for an uninterrupted parade of princesses, knights, pages, ambassadors, bishops, prelates, craftsmen and servants: more than 800 characters, along with a host of animals, dogs, horses, birds and a few small monkeys. Curiously, the religious scenes are less numerous than the representations of weddings, tournaments, banquets and hunting parties; genre scenes that are a faithful transposition of life at the Visconti court in the 15th century. The meticulous description of finery, weapons and even musical instruments makes the whole an impressively lively whole, enhanced by bright colours and high-relief decorations in gold and silver.

Iron Crown. Another of the Duomo's masterpieces, the famous Iron Crown, made of gold and stones, is one of the most important works of goldsmithing in Western history. Tradition has it that it was made from one of the nails used in the crucifixion of Christ. It is kept in a case on a 19th century altar inside the chapel and is only visible during guided tours conducted by the Treasure Museum. Many rulers have been crowned with the crown, including Charles Maggiore (800), Conrad of Germany (1093), Frederick Barbarossa (1158), Charles V (1530) and Ferdinand I of Austria (1838), not forgetting Napoleon I (1805), who crowned himself King of Italy in the Duomo of Milan, exclaiming "God gave it to me, beware of those who take it away!