Parco di Monza (Monza Park), Monza

It was founded in 1805 by Napoleon, who wanted to create a model agricultural estate and hunting reserve. Works started in 1806 under the rule of viceregent Eugenio di Beauharnais on the northern grounds of the Royal Palace with the aim of creating a park bigger than Versailles.

The park was designed by Luigi Canonica. Inside the extensive enclosure, whose walls encompassed part of the old medieval city walls, there were fields, roads, houses and gardens as well as a forest area used for hunting.

The park was opened to the public by the Austrian governor of Milan, Ranieri, in 1841, although only on Sundays from midday to dusk. The grounds were mainly occupied with vineyards, and all activities inside the park were regulated by the Austrian government.

In 1864, after Monza became part of the Savoie kingdom, the park was widely opened to the public and king Umberto I spent long periods of time at the Royal Palace. In 1919, his son donated it to the Opera Nazionale Combattenti, a charity dedicated to the reintegration of World War I veterans. Wanting to make a profit out of it, the organisation decided to build the racetrack and golf course.

Nowadays, Monza park is the perfect place for a leisurely stroll or a bike ride (there are facilities to rent bicycles inside). You can stop for a quick lunch, a drink or a snack at one of the many bars and restaurants on the grounds, or even go swimming at the Olympic swimming pool near the racetrack.