The 19 February 2026, Monza hosted the conference. «Il Verde dell'Impero e del Regno: Giardini, natura e scienza nell'età napoleonica».» at the Musei Civici di Monza.
The event was organised by Centro Documentazione Residenze Reali Lombarde, in collaboration with European Federation of Napoleonic Citieswith the support of Italian Ministry of Culture and Municipality of Monza.
This conference brought together historians, researchers and landscape specialists to explore the relationship between nature, science and regional planning in the napoleonic era.
Two symbolic anniversaries
The meeting was part of the celebration of two major anniversaries:
- the 25ᵉ anniversary of the European Landscape Convention, adopted by the Council of Europe in 2000; ;
- the 220ᵉ anniversary of the creation of Monza Royal Park.
Created at the beginning of the XIXᵉ century under Napoleon's Kingdom of Italy, the Parco di Monza is now one of the largest enclosed parks in Europe, and is a remarkable example of landscaping resulting from the modernisation policies of the time.
Landscape, science and modernisation
The lecture highlighted the way in which, at the beginning of the XIXᵉ century, the landscape became a an instrument for modernising and representing power.
Across Europe, the territorial policies of the time favoured :
- the creation of public parks and monumental gardens,
- the redevelopment of urban green spaces,
- the foundation of botanical gardens and scientific nurseries for the study and conservation of plants.
These places embody a new vision of nature, organised according to a rational order that links science, art and politics.
Destination Napoléon and landscape itineraries
Among the day's speakers, Eleonora Berti, director of the European Federation of Napoleonic Cities, presented the links between the European Landscape Convention and the development prospects for’botanical and landscape itineraries within Destination Napoléon - Council of Europe Cultural Route.
This approach opens up new perspectives for the networking of historic gardens, imperial parks and landscapes created during the Napoleonic era across Europe.
A rich programme
The day was structured around two themed sessions bringing together a number of landscape and heritage specialists.
Among the speakers:
- the urban transformations of Rome under Napoleon ;
- the scientific and heritage role of botanical gardens, Brera; ;
- the landscaped gardens of the Villa Melzi on Lake Como ;
- landscapes and views of the Villa Reale Park, Monza ;
- the historical development of the gardens of Villa Reale between the end of the XVIIIᵉ century and the Napoleonic era.
The discussions provided a better understanding of how Napoleon's territorial policies helped to shape a new conception of landscape in Europe.
A landscape heritage to enhance
By bringing together researchers, historians and heritage professionals, this conference highlighted the importance of historic landscapes inherited from the Napoleonic era, Today, this is at the heart of cultural preservation and enhancement.
These areas, where history, science and spatial planning meet, constitute a common European heritage. With this in mind, Destination Napoléon - Council of Europe Cultural Route, supported by FECN, contributes to promoting knowledge and networking of sites, landscapes and heritage linked to the Napoleonic era on a European scale.
More information
Event title : Ill Verde dell'Impero e del Regno
Location: Musei Civici di Monza - Sala Conferenze (Italy)
Date : Thursday 19 February 2026 from 9.30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
👉 Detailed information on the official website of the municipality of Monza :
https://www.comune.monza.it/it/eventi/il-verde-dellimpero-e-del-regno