Pavia is the ancient capital of the Lombards. Cartesian monastery.
The Romans began the construction of Pavia: today’s central streets were created in those times. Pavia was the capital of the Ostgothic kingdom (493-526) under Theodoric and, until 774, of the Lombard kingdom.
After Charlemagne’s victory over the Lombards in 774, he was crowned king of the Franks and Lombards in Pavia. The city lost its importance in 1360, when it was taken over by the Dukes of Visconti, who united Pavia with Milan.
In 1525, the city once again became a place of historical events: the army of Emperor Charles V defeated the troops of French King Francis I.
In the mid-16th century, Pavia, as part of the Duchy of Milan, fell to the Spanish Habsburgs, and in the 18th century to the Austrian Habsburgs.
-Despite the unsuccessful reconstruction of the city in the 20th century, which changed the face of the city and destroyed many of its squares and churches, Pavia is undoubtedly one of the most interesting towns in Lombardy. 40 minutes from Milan and you are in Pavia. The Visconti Castle, the 11th century Basilica of St Michael, one of the most beautiful churches of the Romanesque period in Lombardy, the famous covered bridge over the Ticino River.
Make sure to try the famous Pavia rice (risotto alla certosina), the “paradise cake” and the wine produced in the hills south of Pavia.
The Cartesian Monastery near Pavia is the mausoleum of the first Duke of Lombardy, Gian Galeazzo Visconti. The beauty of the marble facade and the austerity of the interior cloisters (monastery courtyards), the regular rhythm of life of the monks who are still the guardians of the monastery.
The secrets of the Cartesian monks are the church, refectory, sacristy and cells. Cartesian monks completely renounce secular life, and so communication with them is impossible. But in the last century, the monks left the monastery (they may have had to. Why? We’ll tell you why during the tour).
You’ll be able to see the monastery from the inside, as the Cistercian monks will show you around.
You can also specify the sights you’d like to visit.
