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After more than a century, thirteen historic furnishings, originally from the Italian Cultural Institute in Belgrave Square, London, have been returned to the Royal Villa of Monza. The Fascists utilized these pieces to furnish Italian diplomatic and consular facilities. Among the most valuable pieces is a Louis XVI-style table with a black marble top, which was once in the Throne Room, as well as chairs, armchairs, a daybed, and a bust of Giuseppe Garibaldi by Ercole Rosa, the 19th-century sculptor who also created the famous equestrian monument to Victor Emmanuel II in Milan's Piazza Duomo. The return, approved by the Ministry of Culture and the Superintendency, is part of a larger effort to preserve the historical heritage of the Royal Palace, the House of Savoy's summer residence. Hundreds of things have already been returned in recent months, including a loan of Queen Margherita's clothing. This operation occurred only months after the Royal Villa was designated as a museum in December 2025.
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