Pavia is one of Lombardy’s richest treasure-houses of art, history, and culture — an ancient university city on the Ticino River, just 35 kilometres south of Milan, whose magnificent Certosa di Pavia (one of the most beautiful Renaissance monasteries in Italy), its Romanesque churches, and the Visconti Castle make it one of the most rewarding day trips from Milan that most international visitors never think to take. Founded by the Romans as Ticinum, Pavia was the capital of the Lombard Kingdom and later one of the most important cities of medieval Italy — its university, founded in 1361, is one of the oldest in the world and still dominates the city’s intellectual and social life.

Quick Facts: Pavia, Italy

• Best time to visit: Year-round; spring and autumn for the most pleasant walking conditions; avoid August when the university is closed and the city is quiet
• How to get there: ~35 minutes from Milan by regional train (frequent departures from Milano Centrale and Milano Rogoredo); Pavia’s centre is a 10-minute walk from the station
• Top attraction: The Certosa di Pavia (8km north of the city) — a Carthusian monastery with one of the most ornate Renaissance facades in Italy, begun in 1396 and worked on for 250 years by generations of Italy’s greatest artists and architects; entry is free
• Combine with: Milan city centre, and the rice fields of the Lomellina region that produce risotto rice for much of Italy

Pavia is the ancient town and comune (population of 71,000) of south-western Lombardy, northern Italy, 35 km south of Milan.

Pavia is the capital of a fertile eponymous province known for agricultural products including wine, rice, cereals, and dairy products. The town has the peaceful atmosphere and is home to the ancient University of Pavia.

Main Pavia’s sights

• The most famous landmark of Pavia is the Certosa, or Carthusian monastery, founded in 1396 (approx. 8km north of the city)
• Cathedral of Pavia (Duomo di Pavia), the 3rd biggest dome in Italy (after St. Peter’s Basilica and Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence)
• San Michele Maggiore – Lombard-Romanesque church where the Emperor Frederick Barbarossa was crowned in 1155
• The Basilica of San Pietro in Ciel d’Oro (“St. Peter in Golden Sky”), where Saint Augustine, Boethius and the Lombard king Liutprand are buried
• San Teodoro – the third romanesque basilica in the city
• The large fortified Castello Visconteo – the Castle, home to the City Museums (Musei Civici) with the park, popular attraction for children.
• The church of Santa Maria del Carmine – the second largest church in the city after the cathedral
• The renaissance church of Santa Maria di Canepanova

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Have you visited Pavia’s Certosa or discovered Lombardy’s historic university city? Share your Pavia discoveries in the comments! 🏛️

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