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Pavia – Piazza Vittoria, photo by Michael Paraskevas.

Top 10 Astonishing Facts about Pavia

Pavia is located on the way to Turin and was lesser-known as the capital of the Lombardy kingdom, northern Italy. The highlights of Pavia include a rich history as the former capital, Duomo dome Da Vinci, plenty of cobbled lanes, and pizza. It is 35 kilometres (22 miles) south of Milan on the lower Ticino River near its confluence with a population of c. 73,086.

The basilica in the town was the seat of numerous important events, including the coronations of Berengar I (888), Guy III (889) and other famous persons. The town was also designated a UNESCO world heritage site due to its amazing statues such as the statue of Minerva and horse in the Piazza del Duomo.

1.The Cathedral of Pavia (Duomo di Pavia)

The Cathedral was designed principally by Donato Bramante and its construction begun in 1488. The central dome has an octagonal plan, stands 97 m high, and weighs some 20,000 tons which is the third largest in Italy.

The top two largest domes are found in St. Peter’s Basilica and Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence. The cathedral is surrounded by the Civic Tower (existing at least from 1330 and enlarged in 1583 by Pellegrino Tibaldi.

2.San Michele Maggiore (St. Michael Major)

San Michele Maggiore, photo by Paolobon140.

San Michele Maggiore is located, near the Royal Palace, on the site of a pre-existing Lombard church. The church is an outstanding example of Lombard-Romanesque church architecture in Lombardy.

The church was rebuilt from around the end of the 11th century using sandstone (including crypt, transept and choir), and finished in 1130 after it was destroyed in 1004.

One of the most famous churches built by a Lombard king in Pavia is the church San Pietro in Ciel d’Oro. This famous church was commissioned by king Liutprand (r. 712-744)[41] and it would become the site of his tomb as well as two other famous Christian figures

3.Basilica of San Pietro in Ciel d’Oro-St

The church of St Augustine is known as the place of burial of Boethius and the Lombard king Liutprand. Its construction was begun in the 6th century while the current construction built in 1132.Artists from Campione built the arch housing the relics of St. Augustine in 1362 by.

It is decorated by some 150 statues and reliefs. The basilica in the town was the seat of numerous important events, including the coronations of Berengar I (888), Guy III (889), Louis III (900), Rudolph II (922), Hugh (926), Berengar II and his son Adalbert (950), Arduin (1002), Henry II (1004) and Frederick Barbarossa (1155).

 4.The city of Pavia played a key role in the war of Lombard

The Battle of Pavia, photo by Bernard van Orley and William Dermoyen.

 The city was involved in the war between the Lombard Kingdom of Pavia and the Franks led by Charlemagne. Charlemagne king of the Franks declared war and invaded across the Alps into northern Italy defeating the Lombard army commanded by king Desiderius in 773.

Pavia had been the official capital of the Lombards but it was also the place upon where the Lombard Kingdom in Italy ended. In between the autumn of 773 and June of 774 Charlemagne laid siege to Pavia first and then Verona, capturing the seat of Lombard power and quickly crushing any resistance from the northern Lombard fortified cities.

5.The medieval towers shape the town’s skyline

In medieval times, Pavia was nicknamed ‘the city of 100 towers’ thanks to its abundance of towering buildings, dominating the town. Three of the best-preserved towers are clustered in the university quarter of the town at Piazza di Leonardo da Vinci.

The Piazza Leonardo da Vinci (three towers), Via Luigi Porta (two towers), and in Piazza of Collegio Borromeo are the towers present in Pavia. It was commonplace for wealthy families to show off their power and riches by building the tallest tower possible and outdoing rival families in the process. However these towers cannot be accessed by the public.

6.It is home to the 2nd oldest university in Italy

The University of Pavia started as a school in the 9th Century then transformed into a university in the 14^th century making it the oldest universities in Italy. As a result, the university buildings themselves are varied, interesting and full of history. Among the famous alumni include Christopher Columbus who attended and graduated from university. The front part of the building is decorated ornately and some even have small Italian courtyards.

7.The Castello Visconteo

Castello Visconteo, photo by Tempo61.

The castle was built in 1360-1365 by Galeazzo II Visconti. It is the largest castle served as a private residence. Famous people such as the poet Francesco Petrarca spent some time there after he was called by Gian Galeazzo Visconti.

He was given the responsibility to take charge of the magnificent library which owned about a thousand books and manuscript. The Castle houses the City Museums and the park where it serves as a tourist attraction.

8.The San Teodoro

The San Teodoro church is situated on the slopes leading down to the Ticino River, which served the fishermen. It was built in the Lombard period in 752 and was rebuilt in 1117. It is impressively detailed with Pavia’s urban layout has changed little in 500 years.

It was dedicated to Theodore of Pavia, a medieval bishop of the Diocese of Pavia. Inside the church, there are two outstanding bird’s-eye-view frescoes of the city attributed to Bernardino Lanzani

9.The original Ponte Coperto was destroyed during WWII

The original Ponte Coperto translated as covered bridge was destroyed during WWII. It was reconstructed with an aim of replicating the original bridge. The details of the original bridge have therefore been copied all the way down to the little chapel in the bridge’s center.

10.The Certosa di Pavia

Certosa di Pavia, photo by Luigino C.

The Certosa di Pavia is considered as the most beautiful monastery in Lombardy. Certosa di Pavia is located around 8km north of the town, in the midst of the rice fields that Lombardy. It was initially founded as a Carthusian Monastery in the 14th century however today the monastery is inhabited by an order of Cistercian monks who maintain a vow of silence. Pavia Monastery and Church were named as the most beautiful monastery in Europe, and an illustration of Italian Renaissance architecture.

Pavia is a beautiful city with many tourist attractions. It was also designated a UNESCO world heritage site due to its amazing statues such as the statue of Minerva and horse in the Piazza del Duomo. It also houses the Mirabello Castle in the Parco Visconteo, near Mirabello di Pavia. It is therefore a great city to visit.