Tourist information: Medolago and Brianza

Historical Outline: Medolago, Brianza and outside

The name Brianza has Celtic origins, deriving from the old form "brigant" or "bric", meaning "overhanging" or "protruding". The area has been inhabited since prehistoric times, as shown by finds from the caves of Buco del Piombo and Tanone which date back to the early part of the Stone Age, known as the Palaeolithic period. The earliest documented official usage of the name "Brianza" dates from 1000, when it referred to the hilly area between Rovagnate and Galbiate. Today the area extends from Seveso and the Adda valley and stretches as far as the borders of Como and Lecco and Milan on the east side. Brianza became an autonomous vicarship in 1435 thanks to Francesco Sforza, who united the various territories under the name "Universitatis Montisbrianze". One of the most characteristic towns of the area is Medolago, already documented in the 10th century as "Castrum". Troubled events followed Medolago over the centuries, firstly due to the various occupations, including the French invasion of Carlo D'Amboise in 1509, and secondly due to the changes in municipality. Between 1928 and 1970 it was joined with nearby Solza, forming the town of Riviera d'Adda.

Visit Biella

Brianza is rich in artistic and architectural works from all eras. In Bergamo, you can visit the Romanesque Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, dating back to the 12th century. A true masterpiece, the Colleoni Chapel, from the Renaissance period but with internal decorations from the 18th century, where you can admire a cycle of frescoes by Tiepolo. Don't miss the cathedral, known as the Duomo. Possibly of Lombard origins, it was restored in the 13th century, and later in the 15th century by Filerete, and completed in the 17th century. It includes works by Tiepolo, Previstali, Moroni and Sanz. Definitely not to be missed is a visit to the Pinacoteca dell'Accademia Carrara, which holds more than 1500 paintings dating from the 15th to the 19th centuries. In Monza, there is the splendid Duomo, dating from the 16th century, but reconstructed in the 18th century, with a façade by Matteo Campione. Inside, you can admire the Teodolinda Chapel, with its late Gothic frescoes by the Zavattari brothers. Also of interest is the 13th century Museo Serpero, with its "treasure of the Arengario Cathedral", and the Villa Reale, in neoclassical style by Giuseppe Piermarini.
The hotel is located at only 4 km from the religious site of Sotto il Monte, birthplace of  Pope Giovanni XXIII.

Events

The municipalities of Brianza are numerous, and as a result there are many events which take place in the area, including sagre (village festivals which honour a particular product such as wine, wild mushrooms, grapes etc.), feste popolari (festivals of the people), cinema and theatre performances and all sorts of other cultural events. For theatre, the Teatro Duse in Agrate Brianza, the Manzoni in Monza, the Excelsior in Lissone, to mention but a few, offer various productions to cater for every type of audience. Nor is the area lacking in events for cinema-lovers. Throughout the region, there are cineforum, cinema clubs dedicated to the independent film industry, which show films throughout the year.