The nun of Monza

Between literature and historical reality, lights and shadows of an emblematic character

An emblematic figure of the seventeenth-century Monza, Sister Virginia Maria de Leyva – the Manzonian Gertrude – vividly embodies in the tormented events of her existence a feminine universe linked to the phenomenon of forced marriages.

Opposed and fought by the ecclesiastical institutions, but pursued with tenacity by the noble families, concerned to safeguard the integrity of the heritage, these monachy constitute a widespread phenomenon and also investigated by historical research, topos iterated in the literature up to our days, several times proposed in a scandalous key with mediocre artistic effects and little relevance to the complexity of the phenomenon.

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PERCORSI
Museo e Tesoro del Duomo di Monza

Elisa Pontiggia, con contributi di Lisa L.A. Colombo e Francesca Frigerio
Ed. Fondazione Gaiani (giugno 2024)

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News from the Museum

11/03/2025

The Head of St. John. A journey through faith, history and art

On Sunday, March 2, 2025 at 11 a.m. in Rosone Hall, the second lecture of…

Stefano de’ Fedeli: aspects of the Lombard Renaissance

On Sunday, the 9th of February , 2025 at 11.00 in the Sala del Rosone…

One of the most beautiful museums on the planet

One of the most beautiful museums on the planet: seen three times in three different periods of my life, it contains a UNIQUE collection of authentic Lombard wonders (the famous iron crown is only one!). Extraordinary.

Vittorio Maria Savoldelli

A dive into the history of Lombardy’s Middle Ages

Excellent museum, very interesting.
You can see the iron crown only accompanied, the guide is competent and friendly. A dive into the history of the Lombard Middle Ages.

Gianluca Agostoni

It hides real treasures related to the history of Italy

The museum is really well maintained and hides real treasures related to the history of Italy.
Highly trained guides who make the visit even more interesting.

Fabrizio Guccione

A beautiful story of Monza

Pleasant museum. In modern hypogei spaces unfolds a beautiful story of the history of Monza through the place prince of its history: the Cathedral. One tip: the visit to the Iron Crown is guided. Check the times and book.

Paolo Beria

The chapel is a masterpiece of international Gothic

A wonderful and unique collection of Lombard and late Antiquity art. The chapel is a masterpiece of international Gothic. You can visit only the museum and/or guided view on a chapel reservation and iron crown. Do both!

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