Festival of Saint Gerard (and of the Cherries)

The saint of charity and cherries

The Festival of Saint Gerard celebrates the co-patron of Monza, Saint Gerard dei Tintori, a beloved figure in the city of Brianza. Living in the Middle Ages, Gerard is remembered for his charitable works: he transformed his home into the city's first lay hospital, now the site of the Oasi San Gerardo. Legend also links him to the miracle of the cherries, which the saint is said to have gifted in the middle of winter to the custodians of the Duomo who had allowed him to spend the night in prayer in the church.

Devotion and re-enactment

On June 6th, the festival combines religious moments and popular tradition. The solemn mass celebrates the co-patron, while a evocative re-enactment features the statue of the saint placed in the Lambro River, recalling another famous episode of his life. It is a rite that attracts the people of Monza every year, deeply attached to the figure of Gerard and his history of solidarity.

The Cherry Festival

Around the devotion, the city comes alive with the Cherry Festival: along Via San Gerardo and in Largo Carlo Esterle, stalls offer cherries, gastronomic products, and crafts throughout the day. The cherry, a symbolic fruit linked to the saint's miracle, becomes the protagonist of a festival that blends the sacred and the popular. For those visiting Monza during this period, the Festival of Saint Gerard is an opportunity to discover a tradition deeply rooted in the identity of the city and the Brianza region.

What to expect

• The solemn mass for the co-patron Saint Gerard dei Tintori
• The re-enactment of the statue of the saint in the Lambro River
• The Cherry Festival with stalls and typical products
• Crafts and gastronomy in Via San Gerardo