📸: @toochiclaura 📌 Royal Residence of Monza (Reggia di Monza) 🌎 Monza, Italy 📝 The construction of the Villa of Monza was commissioned by the Empress Maria Theresa of Austria to be the summer residence for the Archduke Ferdinand of Austria. He had initially settled in the Villa Alari of Cernusco sul Naviglio, rented by the Alari Counts. The choice of Monza was due to the salubrity of the air and the amenity of the country, but also because it represents a symbolic link between Vienna and Milan, being the place on the way to the imperial capital. It was originally built by Giuseppe Piermarini between 1777 and 1780, while the realization of the gardens took a few more years. The building was planned by Piermarini, in neo-classical style, with a C-shaped layout and a central reception block. Later, the young Archduke Ferdinand ordered many additions to the complex including two additional lateral wings for the rooms and a further two sections dedicated to the servants and the stables. The total number of rooms was close to seven hundred. These additions were cured by Piermarini. The Villa was used by the Archduke as his country residence until the arrival of the Napoleonic armies in 1796. Today, tours are offered of the villa and the surrounding gardens.