Monza Cathedral (Duomo di Monza)

Saint John the Baptist (San Giovanni Battista), to whom this church in Monza was dedicated, is - like Saint Joseph - a man on the threshold from the Old to the New Testament. His parents are Zacharias and Elisabeth. After the announcement of God's incarnation, the Mother of God visits her relative Elisabeth, who will give birth to a son in her old age, John the Baptist. He is half a year older than Jesus and is considered his forerunner/pioneer. He lives in the desert, preaches repentance from sins to the Jewish population and baptizes them in the Jordan. Jesus also comes there to be baptized, and is filled with the Holy Spirit who descends on him from heaven.
The feast day of San Giovanni Battista in the saints' calendar is on June 24th, exactly half a year before 'Holy Eve'.

The cathedral dates from the 13th/14th. Century. The white of the marble slabs shines in the sun. A cathedral treasure can be admired in the cathedral museum.

The cathedral is impressive and worth seeing both from the outside and the inside. The interior of the cathedral can be visited free of charge during opening hours. Please note: lunch break!