Discover Meda: History, Culture and Nature

Meda Between Architecture and Landscape

Meda combines the history of Villa Antona Traversi with landscapes that can be explored on foot. This creates a destination where architecture, churches, nature and the paths between Brughiera Briantea and Lago di Montorfano appeal to different interests. The main focuses are cultural history, observing nature and peaceful walks.

Villa Antona Traversi and San Vittore

Villa Antona Traversi was created when the former San Vittore monastery was redesigned by the architect Leopoldo Pollack in the early years of the 19th century. The Rotonda of Villa Antona Traversi is a semicircular garden covering 3,000 square metres. This place therefore combines the history of a former monastery with a clearly defined garden design and a spacious area.

Church Interiors and Cultural Traces

The Sala del Coro of Villa Antona Traversi is a 220-square-metre room in the upper part of the former inner monastery church. Frescoes from the 16th century by Bernardino Luini and his school adorn the room. The Chiesa di San Vittore dates from around 1520 and was part of the former Benedictine monastery, which was dissolved in 1798. Guided tours of the Chiesa di San Vittore were scheduled for the last Sunday of each month from March to October.

Another historic church is S.S. Nazzaro e Celso, which is about a thousand years old. The museum “La Testimone Velata Di Mariani Isarella” is located in the vicinity of Meda. Together with Villa Antona Traversi and San Vittore, this creates a cultural arc ranging from historic church buildings and monastic history to architecture and painting.

Paths through Brughiera and Parco delle Groane

The Sentiero ME-MO footpath begins in the town of Meda and leads through Brughiera Briantea to Lago di Montorfano, providing access to the region’s nature, history and culture. The Meda-Montorfano long-distance trail runs through the northern part of Parco delle Groane, is well signposted and suitable for everyone. Those considering Meda as the starting point for a tour will find a path that explicitly begins in the town, as well as another route connected to the natural area of Parco delle Groane.

Wetland and Peaceful Walks

The Zoca di Pirutit reveals another side of the landscape. It was formed as a result of clay extraction, subsequently filled with water and became a wetland of great importance for amphibian life. Today, the Zoca di Pirutit is a place for recreation and relaxation with opportunities for peaceful walks. The site thus combines an origin shaped by clay extraction with the importance of the wetland for amphibians and opportunities for peaceful walks.

Furniture Making as Part of the Local History

Furniture making is also part of Meda’s history. Around the turn of the 20th century, Meda developed into a centre of furniture making that was able to compete with French products through high-quality goods and increasingly refined techniques for processing and finishing wood. This historical development complements the sacred and architectural themes with a craft that combined materials, technology and design.

Further Places for Planning Your Trip

Further places for planning your trip: Ceriano Laghetto, Canonica, Camparada, Verano Brianza, Briosco, Giussano, Carate Brianza and Usmate Velate.

Back to the higher-level travel overview: Monza and Brianza.