Villa Reale in Monza was designed by Giuseppe Piermarini and built between 1777-80 by Archduke Ferdinand of Austria. Piermarini had collaborated with Luigi Vanvitelli on the design of the Reggia at Caserta.
Built to be used for official purposes, the Villa became a residence of the Archdukes, the Presidents of the Cisalpina Republic and, later, the Savoy family.
It was the setting of the most important cultural and political events in Lombardy from the end of the 18th century until the formation of Italy but today the complex lies underused.
Despite numerous projects for its restoration and reuse, only part of the complex can be visited. From the main entrance, the large glasshouse stands on the left, joined to the villa itself by a Rotonda frescoed by Andrea Appiani and rebuilt in 1987 to host exhibitions and shows.
The small theatre designed with the collaboration of Luigi Canoniac also stands on the left. It was recently returned to its original splendour with its pictorial and decorative elements.
The main body of the building is U-shaped; its design is enlivened by projecting features and half-columns. Two flights of steps lead to the 'piano nobile' in which large, sumptuous rooms lie one after another; unfortunately, only the apartments of King Umberto I in the right wing can be visited.
Milan