Introduction
The Basilica of San Giovanni Battista, also known as Monza Cathedral, is the primary place of worship in the city of Monza, located in Lombardy. It serves as the episcopal seat of the Archdiocese of Milan.
This religious structure, which holds the title of minor basilica, was built between the 14th and 17th centuries. Situated in the heart of the city, in a square named after the basilica, it is dedicated to Saint John the Baptist and serves as the parish church of Saint John the Baptist. Inside, the cathedral houses the famous Iron Crown. Additionally, the cathedral’s bell tower stands as the tallest structure in Monza.
From the Origins to the Fifteenth Century
Monza’s historical significance begins in the Ostrogothic era when it emerged from the lesser-known settlements of the Milanese region. Paolo Diacono, in his writings, highlights the town’s proximity to Milan and its healthy climate, which encouraged Theodoric to build his Palatium Magnum there. The first church in Monza, a palatine chapel, was founded by Queen Theodolinda, who established it next to her royal residence. This church was originally an “oraculum” dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, built in 595. Queen Theodolinda also constructed a magnificent palace with Lombard-inspired decorations and founded a basilica beside it, which she endowed with gold, silver, and sufficient income.
The basilica served as a place of importance early on, especially when it hosted the baptism of Adaloaldo, son of Theodolinda and Agilulfo, in 603. Pope Gregory I supported Theodolinda’s efforts to reconcile the Lombards with the papacy and convert them from Arianism to Catholicism. Upon her death in 627, Theodolinda was buried within the basilica, which soon became a revered site. Her remains were later transferred to a sarcophagus in 1308.
From the Fourteenth Century to the Present Day
The major reconstruction of the cathedral began in 1300 under the archpriest Avvocato degli Avvocati, coinciding with the first Christian Jubilee. This rebuilding aimed to accommodate the growing needs of the region, particularly following the return of the Treasury from Avignon in 1345. The architect Matteo da Campione led this effort, designing a more monumental structure that reflected the aspirations of the Visconti to create a grand basilica for imperial coronations.
Matteo da Campione also oversaw the construction of two chapels, one dedicated to the Holy Rosary and another to Teodolinda, which feature significant Gothic frescoes. In the 16th century, the cathedral saw further transformations, such as the expansion of the presbytery area and the construction of a new bell tower by Pellegrino Tibaldi.
In the 18th century, the cathedral experienced a resurgence of decorative work, particularly during the restoration of the Holy Nail cult. The 19th century brought significant stylistic changes, including a Neoclassical redesign of the high altar and pulpit. The cathedral also suffered during the Napoleonic era when much of its gold and silver treasures were melted down.
The late 19th century marked the beginning of a major restoration project that included the renovation of the façade and the chapel of Teodolinda. Further work continued into the 21st century, with the restoration of the altar and the final completion of the façade in 2020.
Architecture of Basilica of St. John the Baptist, Monza, Italy (Monza Cathedral)
External Description
Facade
The main façade of the cathedral, dating back to the fourteenth century, showcases a striking two-tone design with alternating white and green marble bands. This façade was significantly restored between 1892 and 1908 by architect Luca Beltrami. Divided into five sections by pilasters and buttresses, the façade’s six sail-shaped slopes are crowned with aedicules featuring statues of saints. Initially, the façade was constructed in two phases. The first, completed in 1300, covered three sections, while the second phase added two more sections to accommodate the expanded internal naves, raising the façade above the hall. Matteo da Campione, the architect behind these additions, also designed the main portal, which includes small columns and Corinthian capitals.
The lunette above the portal, created in 1420, depicts the baptism of Saint John the Baptist in the Jordan River. The lower part illustrates an angel holding ceremonial linens while a dove pours water from a vial. This scene is accompanied by figures of Elizabeth and Zaccaria, the Baptist’s parents. Above, Saint John receives the donation of the cathedral, while Queen Theodolinda, holding the cross and the iron crown, stands with her children and husband. These images reflect the Visconti family’s claim to ownership, particularly after their recovery of the crown in 1277.
Additionally, the façade features a prominent rose window by Matteo da Campione and smaller rose windows along the upper loggia and lateral sections. Stained glass designs created in 2006 by Marco Carnà brighten the interior.
Bell Tower
Standing at 78 meters, the bell tower was started in 1592 and completed in 1620. It was blessed by Cardinal Federico Borromeo in 1628. Built following the original design of Pellegrino Tibaldi, the tower’s pediments display coats of arms, including “Hen with chicks” and “Lamb on the book of seven seals.”
Interior Decoration
Hall and Transepts
The cathedral’s hall features a Latin cross plan with three naves and an apse at each end. Decorations in the transepts reflect a late Mannerist style. The southern transept contains the Tree of Jesse painted by Giuseppe Arcimboldi and Giuseppe Meda in 1558, while the northern transept features scenes of St. John the Baptist by Giuseppe Meda and Giovan Battista Fiammenghino, created in 1580.
Organs
The cathedral houses two notable organs. The first, in the Cornu Evangelii case, is a 12-foot instrument designed in the Italian Renaissance style, built by Gustavo Zanin with 17 registers and an 18-note pedalboard. The second, built in 2002 by Metzler Orgelbau, is a prestigious Swiss organ featuring 29 registers across two manuals and a pedal.
Presbytery and Choir
The decoration of the presbytery and choir is considered one of the most significant pictorial works of the seventeenth century. Artists such as Stefano Danedi (Montalto), Isidoro Bianchi, Carlo Cane, and Ercole Procaccini the Younger contributed to this undertaking, with quadratures by Francesco Villa. The main nave’s vault was frescoed in 1693 by Stefano Maria Legnani.
Big Squares and Chapels
The central nave houses ten large paintings depicting Stories of Theodolinda and the Iron Crown, created by renowned painters like Sebastiano Ricci and Filippo Abbiati between the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. The eighteenth century is particularly significant for the cathedral’s interior, which reflects Lombard Baroque, Late Baroque, and Rococo styles. Artists such as Pietro Gilardi, Giovan Angelo Borroni, and Mattia Bortoloni contributed frescoes to various chapels, including the Rosary Chapel and the Chapel of Santa Lucia. The final major intervention was by Carlo Innocenzo Carloni, who decorated the lateral naves, triumphal arch, and western walls of the transept between 1738 and 1740, marking the height of international Rococo influence in the cathedral.
Iron Crown and Treasure of the Cathedral
The Monza Cathedral is home to the renowned Iron Crown, a significant artifact historically used in the coronation of the Kings of Italy. Tradition holds that the crown contains one of the nails used during the crucifixion of Christ, and the Church recognizes it as a sacred relic. For this reason, the Iron Crown is housed within the cathedral itself, rather than in the museum. The crown is displayed in the Chapel of Theodolinda, a place of reverence and deep historical importance.
Visitors can access the Serpero Museum and view the cathedral’s treasure by entering from the left transept, passing through the elegant cloister of the 18th-century cemetery. The museum holds various artifacts related to the cathedral’s history, providing a deeper connection to the religious and royal significance of the Iron Crown and other treasures.
The Cathedral’s Administrative History
Until the 16th century, the Basilica of San Giovanni Battista operated autonomously, separate from the Diocese of Milan. The Archpriest of the cathedral held significant power, even resembling that of a bishop in some respects. During this period, the basilica was referred to as the “Curia” of Monza, maintaining a patriarchal rite much like a bishop’s seat.
This unusual situation was addressed by Saint Charles Borromeo, who sought to standardize the rites within the diocese. He abolished all non-Ambrosian and non-Roman rites, but faced strong resistance from the people of Monza. As a result, he was forced to compromise, allowing the Roman Rite for the celebration of Mass. Today, Mass continues to be celebrated in the Roman Rite in Monza, as well as in Brugherio and Villasanta.
The Halberdiers Corps
Monza Cathedral is one of the few churches in the world, alongside St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, to have its own armed guards during major religious ceremonies. The Corps of Halberdiers of the cathedral consists of twelve Halberdiers, plus a Commander, providing ceremonial protection for the church during its most important functions.
The origins of the Halberdiers Corps are not definitively documented, but it is widely believed to trace back to the Lombard era at the end of the 6th century, likely emerging from the royal guard of Queen Teodolinda.
The Halberdiers’ uniform is a striking and distinctive ensemble. It includes a long jacket, waistcoat, and knee-length trousers made of blue cloth decorated with gold thread. They also wear a white shirt, white gloves, and blue stockings with gold embroidery, complemented by black shoes featuring silver buckles. A black velvet ribbon is worn around the collar of the shirt. Historically, the Halberdiers wore a tricorne, which was replaced by a bicorne in 1807 following Napoleon Bonaparte’s decision. In addition to their halberd, each man-at-arms carries a sword with a brocade belt and a metal buckle featuring a reproduction of the Iron Crown.
The Bells of Monza Cathedral
The bell tower of Monza Cathedral houses a concert of eight bells tuned in the diatonic major scale of A2. These bells were cast in 1741 by the Milanese bell maker Bartolomeo Bozzi, who also created the bells for the Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio. An interesting characteristic of the bell tower is its use of the “slam” ringing system, a rare feature in the Diocese of Milan, which predominantly uses the “Ambrosian” ringing system. This distinctive ringing style adds a unique auditory element to the cathedral’s religious functions.
Feast Day
Feast Day: 24th June
The feast day of the Basilica of St. John the Baptist (Monza Cathedral) is celebrated on June 24th, which is the feast day of Saint John the Baptist. This is an important occasion in the liturgical calendar of the cathedral, honoring the patron saint, St. John the Baptist, who is widely revered in Christianity. The basilica, dedicated to St. John, plays a central role in the religious life of Monza, hosting various liturgical celebrations and events throughout the year, with this feast being one of the most significant.
Church Mass Timing
Monday : 8.00 AM , 10.00 AM and 6.00 PM
Tuesday : 8.00 AM , 10.00 AM and 6.00 PM
Wednesday : 8.00 AM , 10.00 AM and 6.00 PM
Thursday : 8.00 AM , 10.00 AM and 6.00 PM
Friday : 8.00 AM , 10.00 AM and 6.00 PM
Saturday : 6.00 pm
Sunday : 8.00 AM, 10.30 AM and 6:00 PM
Church Opening Time:
Monday : 9:00 am – 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Tuesday : 9:00 am – 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Wednesday : 9:00 am – 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Thursday : 9:00 am – 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Friday : 9:00 am – 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Saturday : 9:00 am – 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Sunday : 9:00 am – 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Contact Info
Address :
Via Canonica, 8, 20900 Monza MB, Italy
Phone : +39039323404
Accommodations
Connectivities
Airway
Milan Linate (LIN) Airport to Basilica of St. John the Baptist ,Monza, Italy (Monza Cathedral) distance between 43 min (21 km).
Railway
Monza station to Basilica of St. John the Baptist ,Monza, Italy (Monza Cathedral) distance between 8 min (920 m).
