Monash University, Prato Centre

The Monash University Prato Centre is a teaching and research centre in Tuscany. It is located in an 18th-century palace, the Palazzo Vaj, in the historical centre of Prato. It was opened on 17 September 2001, as part of Monash University's internationalisation policy. It was established with the assistance of the local government of Prato, the region of Tuscany and prominent Italian-Australians Rino and Diana Grollo.

The Centre aims to develop Australia's links with Europe, through research collaboration, seminars and conferences, and as a centre of study for Australian students.

It is now the largest Australian institution of its kind in Europe. The Centre's patron is Sir James Gobbo, AC, an Australian jurist who was the first Governor of Victoria of Italian descent.

Prato is a city and comune in Tuscany. It is 24 km from Florence, accessible by road or a 20-minute train ride. It is a centre of Italy's textile industry and of the slow food movement. It is home to around 180,000 people, making it the second largest city in Tuscany and the third largest in Central Italy, after Florence and Rome. In addition to Monash, other educational institutions in Prato include Il Polo Universitario "Città di Prato" (a branch of the University of Florence).

Situated at Via Pugliesi 26, the Monash Prato Centre occupies the Palazzo Vaj, an 18th-century palace in the town's historical centre. Certain parts of the building are believed to be even older, as 15th century frescoes have been discovered on one of the Palazzo's outer walls. The name Vaj (pronounced vai in Italian) comes from the family which originally owned the building in the 18th century. From 1875 to 1999, the palazzo was a prestigious club for local businessmen, largely used for gaming. The modern interior was largely created in the 1950s by the famous Italian architect Italo Gamberini and is heritage-listed by the Italian Government.

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