The centrality of Monza – The great Longobards saga and the cultural achievements of that people find their focal point in the city of Monza, thanks to the prestige of Queen Theodelinda’s historical legacy. The Queen’s most precious contribution was initiating the evolutionary phase of Longobards culture—a foundation that justifies Monza’s recognition today as the "Cradle of European Culture." This designation is substantiated by:

• the role of Queen Theodelinda—the "initiator" of the royal tradition in Monza—who set in motion the Longobardss' conversion to Catholicism, a fundamental element in the development of Longobards culture (recognized by UNESCO as a "primary root of European culture, later developed by the Carolingians");
• the donation of the Bobbio area by the sovereigns Theodelinda and Agilulf to the Irish monk Saint Columbanus; an abbey was established there that became of immense importance to European culture, the Catholic religion, and the early medieval economy;
• from its proximity to the site of the Battle of Coronate (between Cornate d’Adda and Trezzo d’Adda), which in 689 AD established the definitive supremacy of the Catholic Longobards faction (King Cunipert) over the Arian faction;
• from the presence in Monza Cathedral of the Iron Crown, worn—according to tradition—by Longobards kings and, certainly, by subsequent kings of Italy.

The leading role assumed by the "Monza-Brianza Identity Cluster" at the European level within the context of the Longobards Route—combined with the participation in that same Route by locations belonging to the UNESCO serial site (in Longobardsy: Brescia and Castelseprio-Gornate Olona) and the involvement of over 200 Longobards municipalities from various provinces in the Longobards network—positions the Longobardsy Region itself to play a pilot role in fostering institutional and project-based cooperation at multiple levels.

Royal tradition and Iron Crown – Monza is also the guardian of a prestigious royal tradition that, in 2027, will mark the 1,400th anniversary of its inception. This tradition was founded by Queen Theodelinda. It was a legendary dream that led her to identify the pleasant territory of Monza as the ideal site for the symbolic edifice of her Christian faith: an oratory dedicated to St. John the Baptist, which evolved over time into the present-day cathedral. The Queen had fallen asleep on the banks of the Lambro River following a hunting expedition. A dove appeared to her, indicating the site for the foundation: "Modo," it said to the Queen (meaning "here" in the Latin translation). "Etiam," Theodelinda reportedly replied ("Yes, certainly"). Thus, the city’s name was born: “Modoetia”, which later became Monza. Yet, this was merely the beginning of a series of events that—across the centuries—gave substance to and cemented this royal tradition. The sequence of events unfolded as follows: Theodelinda founded the Bavarian dynasty of Longobards kings; the Iron Crown—a precious relic and ultimate symbol of power, permanently housed in Monza—was placed upon the heads of the kings who successively ruled the kingdom. Names of great historical renown include Charlemagne, Frederick Barbarossa, Emperors Charles IV of Luxembourg and Charles V of Habsburg, and even Napoleon Bonaparte. The evocative power of this history, combined with the enduring natural beauty along the Lambro River, prompted Empress Maria Theresa of Austria in 1777 to commission the construction of a prestigious villa in Monza—a residence that would later become a royal palace.

Boundaries of the Cluster - In the Early Middle Ages, historic Brianza served a strategic function as a vital hub for controlling military and commercial traffic in Northern Italy. Situated between Milan, Como, and the Adda River, this hilly, pre-Alpine region became the beating heart of the Longobards Kingdom. The territory played a key role in military defense along routes that remain highly appealing today for their tourism and environmental value. The boundaries of the Cluster are as follows:

• to the North: the pre-Alpine zone, Lake Lario (the Como and Lecco branches), and the so-called Larian Triangle (the territory enclosed by the points of Como, Lecco, and Bellagio)—an area potentially vulnerable to invasions from across the Alps;
• to the East: the course of the Adda River, which divided the so-called "Neustria" (the Roman *Regio IX Transpadana*) from the so-called "Austria" (the Roman *Regio X Venetia et Histria*). The river separated the Brianza territory from both the Duchy of Bergamo—which frequently rebelled against the kings—and other territories held by the Byzantines;
• to the West: the course of the Seveso River—as far as Paderno Dugnano—and the Lambro River;
• to the South: the line connecting Monza to Vimercate and Trezzo sull’Adda—routes used for surveillance and defense against areas subject to Byzantine infiltration.

Natural defenses and defensive system – The area encompasses the northern territories (Lecco and Como districts) and the southern territory (Monza district).

• Territorial strongholds – Originally structured around fortified outposts during the Roman era, territorial control and protection were revamped by the Longobardss through the creation of military units known as “arimannie” and “farae” (family-group settlements with additional military functions). These “arimannie” and “farae” were often established over existing Roman *castra* (fortified camps) and the estates of Roman landowners.

Sighting points: The hills hosted signal towers to monitor incursions from the Alps and protect communication routes to Milan; a network of fortified strongholds (which would later become castles) was established at key transit points (e.g., Castel Baraldello, Brivio, Carate Brianza, Civate).

Water boundaries: The Adda River to the south of the Monza area and the lake system to the north.

Regarding the Lecco area and the eastern branch of Lake Como (Lario), the overall defensive line consisted of:

• Monte Barro: In the 6th century, during the Gothic War, the mountain was home to an Ostrogothic military settlement—the most significant one discovered in Italy (the remains of which were subsequently utilized by the Longobardss). The site's remains demonstrate the strategic value of its location for maintaining visual and military control over the southern bottleneck of the Lecco branch of Lake Como.
• Castrum Leuci: The name does not refer to Lecco—which did not exist at the time—but rather to a polycentric system of fortified villages (*castra*) and *pievi* (parish centers). These ensured the protection of the local population and the lake’s waterways, which narrow at this point to form the Adda River and the nearby small lakes of Garlate and Olginate. Controlling this stretch of the river secured inland navigation and blocked potential hostile incursions from across the Alps into the heart of Brianza and Milan.
• Isola Comacina: This was the most important strategic military hub of the Upper Lake Como area (Alto Lario). Long a Byzantine stronghold under the command of the magister militum Francione, it withstood the Longobards advance for over twenty years before falling to King Authari in 588; it subsequently became a key Longobards control center for navigation.
• System of “castra” and towers: Structures such as the original fortified nuclei designed to control branches of the Via Regina (e.g., at Rezzonico and Varenna), which would evolve into castles during the medieval period. Notable examples—located in the Val d’Intelvi, a vital link between the western shore of Lake Como and Lake Ceresio (Lugano)—include the castrum of Laino, the fortified sites of Pellio Intelvi, and various watchtowers (e.g., Castiglione Intelvi).

Regarding the Como area as a whole and its hilltop strongholds (*castra*), three main defensive hubs must be considered:

• Castel Baradello (Como): The hill of the same name housed a Byzantine fortification (6th century) that was subsequently occupied by the Longobardss. Its location was crucial for commanding the city of Como, the route to the Po Valley, and the Alpine passes.
• Isola Comacina: This was the last Byzantine stronghold to fall to the Longobardss (in 589 AD, under King Authari). Once captured, the Longobardss preserved its role as a strategic fortified outpost for controlling navigation on the western branch of Lake Como.
• Como, center of power: Within the urban fabric of Como—specifically in the area of ​​the current Bishop's Palace—remains of a Longobards fortified zone protecting the lakeside port have been identified. The structure likely served as the seat of the gastaldo (an administrative official) who governed the city and the surrounding district.

Strategic routes - From a historical-tourism perspective, one must also consider the main road networks of the Early Middle Ages and the minor defensive installations (*castra* and fortified sites)—structures the Longobardss largely adopted from the preceding Roman and Ostrogothic eras. Key routes—converging towards the Swiss region beyond the Alps (Raetia Secunda)—included:

• the northward route leading from Milan—via Monza—to Lake Como and the Alpine passes, connecting with the consular road towards Friuli;
• the route extending beyond the Adda River, which also linked to the eastern part of the kingdom; along the Como-Bergamo stretch, this route maintained the sites of Civate and Garlate (with the overlooking Mount Barro) as key junctions and strategic control points—even during the Longobards era.
• Of significant value (and subject to special protection) within the Lecco area was the route along the Gerenzone stream valley, which provided access to the mineral resources (iron, lead, copper) found in the Grigne mountain group.

Historical overview – Following the initial conquest of Italian territories under the leadership of Alboin starting in 568, and after his assassination in Verona (572) and the violent death of the second king, Cleph (574), a decade of anarchy ensued, during which the dukes focused solely on strengthening their own domains. The Longobards Kingdom had yet to take shape and consolidate, both in the north and south of the peninsula. Within the division of Longobards-controlled territories in Northern Italy, two major areas began to emerge, separated by the course of the Adda River: Neustria, to the west of the river, and Austria to the east—where Cividale (Forum Julii), the capital of the Duchy of Friuli, held prominence over the ancient metropolis of Aquileia.

Longobardss in Italy, second phase – Renewed interest in the Italian peninsula by the Byzantine Empire, combined with its alliance with the Franks, persuaded the Longobards dukes to adopt a more stable organizational structure; Autari, the son of Cleph, was elected king. As a first move, the king unsuccessfully sought a marriage alliance with the Franks. He then turned to Garibald, Duke of the Bavarians, asking for—and obtaining—the hand of his daughter, Theodelinda. The marriage, celebrated near Verona in 589, lasted only a year; Autari died, and the dukes—in an extraordinary move—allowed the young queen to choose her new husband and the new king herself: Agilulf, Duke of Turin, of the Thuringian Anawas lineage. This marked a new beginning for Longobards history in Italy, with the Monza and Brianza area—favored by the queen—serving as the driving force behind its initial development.

Theodolinda, “Bavarian” dynastic line – It fell to a woman, therefore, to decide who would lead the kingdom: an unusual move, yet one must consider the immense dynastic prestige Theodolinda embodied, being Bavarian on her father’s side. Through her mother, Waldrada, the young queen descended from both the noble Longobards “Lethingi” dynasty and the royal Gepid dynasty. These diverse bloodlines were certainly significant for a people who—under the name "Longobardss"—comprised a collection of Germanic tribes: Saxons, Heruli, Gepids, Thuringians, Sarmatians, Jutes, Ostrogoths, and Bulgars. This new dynastic line would produce the greatest number of kings in the kingdom's history.

Consolidation of the Kingdom – Agilulf, a skilled military leader, was responsible for significant new territorial conquests in Emilia and Veneto, as well as repeated, victorious clashes with Byzantine and Frankish forces, interspersed with fleeting truces. The king’s first act in the year of his election (591) was the conquest of Isola Comacina, which had been occupied by Gaidulf, the Duke of Bergamo, who had rebelled against him. Tensions and agreements followed with Pope Gregory the Great, with whom Theodolinda maintained a close and fruitful relationship. The reign of Agilulf and Theodolinda also marked the beginning of the slow assimilation and blending of Germanic customs with Roman traditions and fashions.

The End of Theodolinda – After Agilulf’s death, the queen exercised direct royal authority as guardian of her young son, Adaloald, before he was deposed. Finally, he retired, concluding his legendary existence and ending his life in the odor of sanctity—a reputation that persists among the people to this day—in 627; the year 2027 will mark the 1,400th anniversary of his passing.

After the Longobards – The life of Theodelinda is artistically depicted in the scenes of the sumptuous pictorial cycle created in the Monza Cathedral between 1441 and 1446 by the Milanese workshop of the Zavattari family. The work was commissioned by Francesco Sforza to mark his marriage (1441) to Bianca Maria Visconti. This event signaled the transfer of the Duchy of Milan from the Visconti family (who claimed Longobards ancestry) to the Sforza dynasty. It also brought to a close a turbulent period in the history of Milan and Monza—a time marked by the "revolutionary" exploits of the condottiero Ettore Visconti, who briefly ruled Monza from a castle that no longer exists.

Other tourist attractions – The territories of Monza, Lecco, and Como offer an immense array of attractions for visitors: artistic treasures from various historical and cultural eras and a wealth of historic villas—many of which are open to the public—not to mention specialized museums dedicated to local industry and the Museum of Speed, which highlights the sporting heritage of the famous Monza Circuit. Finally, considering the region’s environmental assets—which offer a link to the natural landscapes of ancient times—there are several sites of exceptional tourist interest, complemented by outstanding food and wine, artistic craftsmanship, and other local products.

THE TREASURE OF THE LAKES

 

GEOSITES – The geosites found in the Brianza, Lecco, and Como areas are highly diverse, scientifically significant, and fascinating from a tourism perspective; they bear witness to the evolution of the Orobie Prealps and Lake Como, as well as to Quaternary glacial phenomena.

Brianza and Como Areas
Lecco area	The geological and geomorphological heritage of the Lecco area represents an extraordinary asset. It bears witness to the evolution of the Orobie Prealps, Lake Como, and Quaternary glacial phenomena—a macro-area situated within the broader context of the Insubria Geosite network.
	Karst and structural geosites of the Grigne and Monte Codeno	Montecodeno Geosite: limestone and dolomite rock marked by "karren" (furrowed ground), sinkholes, and vertical chasms.
		Caves of the Lecco area: Complex underground systems (e.g., Fiumelatte Cave) linked to underground hydrology.
	Quaternary and glacial geosites	Erratic boulders: Enormous blocks of Alpine rock transported by glaciers for kilometers, reaching the hills of the Lecco-Brianza area and the surroundings of Lecco.
		Moraines and fluvioglacial deposits: Moraine amphitheatres visible in the Oggiono and Upper Brianza areas.
	Hydro-geomorphological geosites and the San Martino Valley	Orrido di Bellano: A deep, narrow natural gorge carved by the Pioverna stream. It can be visited via suspended walkways anchored to the rock walls.
		Fiumelatte Spring: Characterized by seasonal intermittency caused by the emptying of karst conduits, it feeds one of Italy's shortest watercourses.
		Resegone Spires: Dolomitic towers and ridges that shape the profile of Lecco's iconic mountain.
	Anthropogenic and mining geosites	Valsassina mining sites: Ancient iron, lead, and zinc mines (such as Piani dei Resinelli) that tell the story of local mining and metallurgy dating back to Roman and medieval times..
Como area	The extraordinary geological heritage of the Como area has been shaped by the action of ancient glaciers, karst phenomena, and prehistoric marine sedimentation. The geosite locations in the Como area and around Lake Como are listed in the Longobardsy Region's inventory.
	Erratic boulders (quaternary geosites)	Sasso di Cavallona (Asso): One of the best-known glacial erratics in the Como area of ​​Brianza, composed of serpentinite.
		Sasso di Luna or Pietra di Luna (Asso): A monumental boulder bearing witness to the power of ancient glaciers
		Pietra Pendula (Torno): A large boulder of *ghiandone* granite from Val Masino, balanced precariously atop a base of local limestone.
	Caves and Karst Phenomena (Hypogean and Epigean Geosites)	Grotta dell'Orso (Monte Generoso, Alta Valle Intelvi): Located near the Swiss border, the cave has yielded thousands of bone remains of *Ursus spelaeus* (cave bear).
		Buco del Piombo (Erba): One of Longobardsy's most majestic caves. Its colossal entrance opens onto a deep limestone gorge. It was frequented by Neanderthals.
		Mount Bulghera Complex and Canzo Caves: Intricate system of underground tunnels and karst springs.
	Hydrogeological Canyons and Gorges	Bellano Gorge and Nesso Gorge: The Bellano Gorge is located on the Lecco shore; its counterpart on the Como shore is the Nesso Gorge, a deep natural ravine carved by the Tuf and Nosè streams, which merge into a spectacular waterfall visible from the Civera Bridge.
		Breggia Gorge Park (Mendrisiotto / border with the Como area): extending beyond the Chiasso border, it is a cross-border geosite featuring a continuous rock stratigraphy spanning over 100 million years (from the Jurassic to the Cretaceous).
	Paleontological and Stratigraphic Sites	Val Menaggio: A geologically exceptionally rich valley where Upper Triassic strata (such as the Zorzino Limestone) crop out, known within the scientific community for fossil discoveries of ancient reptiles and fish.