Festival of Saint John the Baptist – Patron Saint of Monza

The Patron Saint of Monza

The Festival of Saint John the Baptist is the patronal feast par excellence of Monza, the capital of Brianza. The saint, celebrated on June 24th, is the city's protector, and the celebrations in his honor extend over about a month, animating Monza with a rich calendar of religious, historical, and popular events.

Teodolinda's History and Re-enactments

The festival is closely linked to the Lombard history of Monza, a city dear to Queen Teodolinda. Among the most evocative events are the religious ceremonies and the historical procession in Teodolinda's costume, which brings the city's medieval past back to life. These are complemented by the Saint John's market and the fair, moments of popular tradition that have accompanied the patronal feast for centuries.

The "Mazzolino di San Giovanni"

Among the most beloved traditions is that of the "mazzolino di San Giovanni", a bouquet of aromatic herbs for good luck, linked to ancient rites of Saint John's Eve. In recent years, the traditional fireworks in the Monza Park have been suspended for environmental and economic reasons, but the festival keeps alive its dimension as a collective ritual and historical memory. For the people of Monza, Saint John is much more than a religious occasion: it is the very identity of the city that is renewed each year.

What to Expect

• Religious ceremonies for the patron saint Saint John the Baptist
• Historical procession in Teodolinda's costume
• Saint John's market and fair
• The auspicious tradition of the "mazzolino di San Giovanni"