Monza (Italy)

Author's product rating:   

Value for Money
Sightseeing
Shopping
Nightlife
Ease of getting around

Advantages:	Exudes history, exciting race circuit, rural quiet small town with character, beautiful cathedral and scenic views nearby
Disadvantages:	None really .  . Public transport limited on sundays

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Say the word MONZA! And one’s heart fills with joy and excitement you think Formula One, land of Ferrari .. you are in seventh heaven! Well almost! This may not be everyone’s reaction but it certainly is mine! I recently had the opportunity to visit Monza and it doesn’t disappoint and offers far more beyond Formula One racing with its rural charm and interesting historical features.

MONZA ~ WHERE IS IT?

Monza is approximately 10km North of Milan in the Lombardy region of Italy. It is the capital of the Brianza area of Lombardy. Brianza originally got it’s name from an old saying, “S’è messa un po’ di Brianza in faccia” which is translated as “She’s put some Brianza on her face”, it’s another word for a fake suntan! Before the economic growth of the 1950’s many of the rich would come to the hilly regions of Brianza in the hope of soaking up some sun, it was a place to pass the long hot and humid summers. Since then much has changed; well for starters you can buy fake tan in a tube! secondly social attitudes and customs have changed. The term Brianza is just a vague geographical area north of Milan.

Today, the Brianza region is one of the main economic constitutions that make the Lombardy region one of the richest in Italy coupled with a highly skilled labour force. Monza is perhaps most well known for hosting Italy’s Grand Prix at its race circuit, this has clearly put Monza back on the world map.

The town of Monza has many buildings and structures of interesting architecture, such as the famous Cathedral (Duomo) with it beautiful green and white facades originally constructed in 1370. In the centre of the town is a square (Piazza Roma) characterised by central large construction of Arengario (tribune). Last but not least Monza Park – is a definite visit for all Formula One fans.

MONZA PARK~

The park is one of the largest of its kind in Europe covering an area of over 7325sq. metres. It has an equestrian school, an 18-hole golf course, polo fields, tennis courts etc. Inside this park is the famous Monza race circuit (Autodromo di Monza).

On entering the park my first view was of a large palace like building (Villa Reale) and several smaller neo-classical buildings with their own courtyards. My ultimate destination being the race circuit, I keenly followed instructions I had received from an army officer to walk through the park that would take me to the race circuit.
After quickly making my way passing through what appeared to be private resident’s courtyards (only spurred on faster by the bark of a rather concerned dog!) I was finally inside the park!

The park was full of pathways, miles of green grass in wooded surroundings. Being a Sunday, it was a happy scene of families spending a Sunday afternoon playing on the grass, riding family bicycles that sit 4 (don’t know what these are called), some rollerblading on the path, and some returning from a game of polo. If not involved in any of sporting activities many families were seen strolling in the park -with ladies wearing a full mink coat with dark shades- quite a common sight in Lombardy! After walking for over 2 hours through this vast park I finally got to the Autodromo Monza circuit around 4pm.

MONZA RACE CIRCUIT (Autodromo di Monza)~

This is one of the most famous racing circuits in the world, home to the Italian Grand Prix, this is Ferrari country, home of the prancing horse! The original track was built in 1922, which provided a high-speed track with banked curves. Since then many modifications have been made to the track to take into account current F1 regulations, adding chicanes and re-designing some of the curves in a bid to slow speeds down and improve safety. Though with modern technology of today and technical developments the cars are just getting faster and faster.

For an instant I couldn’t believe I was there..at Monza the races I have followed for years. The sound of the roar of the high revving engines got more and more intense as I approached, my heart beating faster. I could see the parts of the track in front of me. At the perimeter fence separating the park from the circuit there appeared to be a hole in the fence where I noticed loads of people going through, this was it..the “UNOFFICIAL” entrance to the Monza circuit! So I entered Monza the unofficial way..through the gap ..without a ticket! as the saying goes when in Italy do as the Tifosi do! I was in.

The F1 Italian grand prix takes place every September. Although I visited Monza in March on a Sunday there appeared to be a mixture of F3000 and touring cars racing, mainly Lancia Integrale, Renault 5 turbo, a Ferrari GT. As this is a general review on Monza itself I will not go into the technical details of the circuit itself as these can be found under Monza circuits.

I managed to find seating on the stadium on approach to the 'Curve Grande' bend. Watching the series of car braking hard and downshifting on approach to this winding bend almost a U –shaped was fun. Although this was not a full race with only a few cars participating it was very enjoyable as cones where placed on approach to the bend which the cars had to manoeuvre around, some cars knocked over the cones..this just gave the marshall plenty of work to do till the cars came round again!

Moving on, there are a couple of Pizza restaurants and bars at the circuit and a separate concourse area where drivers and teams assemble prior to the races. I managed to enter the area reserved for Press reporters, official photographers, and driver’s families, this gave me a view of the cars as they exit the pits. I think being late on a Sunday afternoon they were not too bothered with security as it was just a small race.
I obtained access to the podium too..yippe! This was the very same Podium Michael Scuhmacher won from pole position, and put Ferrari in the lead. I am so much looking forward to the forthcoming race in 2001, as I will be able to re-live memories of my Monza experience and jumping up and down on the podium! (minus the champagne! as I forgot to take any!)

Leaving Monza I followed a large crowd to exit as the circuit closed at 5.00pm. The race ticket cost was L15,000 for this small race, which is about £5. Prices for Grand Prix tickets would definitely be more probably in the region of 250,000IL (£80) and I’m sure they seal all the gaps in the fences in time for the Grand Prix. I don’t feel too guilty about not purchasing a ticket for this small race as I enjoyed the Tifosi style experience and was only in the circuit for an hour, after spending 2 hours in the park. On exit the ticket counter was closed anyway!

Walking through the narrow winding streets of Monza on a quiet Sunday afternoon was very relaxing, with lines of houses each with its individual character and charm, many had shutters and veranda’s and balcony’s. It was hard to imagine that this small quaint town receives hundred’s of thousand of visitors that march through the small town at the time of the Grand Prix, it is unbelievable! Outside the Autodromo di Monza, there are not many commercial restaurants and shops open on a Sunday. I stumbled across a small family run coffee shop/bar where the locals would drop by and have a small coffee not even bothering to sit down and be off again! The family’s small dog was also very active at greeting customers. It was not busy with two customers in the 30 minutes I spent there to re-cooperate my tired aching legs before I set back to Monza Station.

TRANSPORT IN MONZA~

If you are fortunate enough to travel by car I would recommend this as there are so many beautiful lakes, valleys and hills in this region which I didn’t get a chance to see. Public transport is limited on Sundays.
I reached Monza by short train journey from Milan. Tickets are usually purchased as single, mine cost IL 2700, which is about £1. Monza rail station is very small and has its own character set in this small quaint town. There are also all day rail tickets you can buy around IL 5000. I had to make a small bus journey from the station to Monza PARK.

NOTE: bus tickets have to purchased in advance, not knowing that I hopped onto the bus..whereby an army cadet informed me of the rules, but being a Sunday he said no one checks! I would advise you purchase your your bus ticket in advance if possible.

Overall, I would recommend you visit Monza if you have an interest in Formula One and also if you enjoy small rural towns full of history. It is also not far from Milan, only about 20 minutes on the train with easy access to Italy’s most beautiful and scenic hills and lakes.

UPDATE April 2003

All prices quoted in this opinion were from my journey in 2001 when Italian Lira was the currency in use. In 2003 all prices you will incur will be in Euros. To give you some idea of Grand Prix race ticket costs; prices start from 35 Euros rising to 400 Euros on race day!

An opinion of Connoisseur_haggler © for uk.ciao.com – 2001 all disclaimers apply!

Edited 2003