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    Pavia

    Italy

    Pavia

    CityCulture

    Pavia was the capital of the Lombard Kingdom from 572 to 774 and is home to one of Europe's oldest universities.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Italy
    7. Lombardy
    9. Pavia
    Pavia was the capital of the Lombard Kingdom from 572 to 774 and is home to one of Europe's oldest universities. Romanesque churches, the Visconti Castle, and the covered Ticino Bridge shape the student city; eight kilometers north lies the Certosa.

    Sights in Pavia

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    San Michele Maggiore
    Church

    1San Michele Maggiore

    The Lombard-Romanesque Basilica, mostly built of sandstone, was rebuilt from the late 11th century and completed in 1130. Here medieval Kings of Italy were crowned, including Frederick Barbarossa in 1155.
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    Castello Visconteo
    Castle

    2Castello Visconteo

    Galeazzo II. Visconti had the castle built as his residence between 1360 and 1365. It now houses the municipal museums.
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    Ponte Coperto
    Attraction

    3Ponte Coperto

    The covered bridge connects the Old Town with the Borgo Ticino district on the opposite bank of the Ticino. Its medieval predecessor was destroyed in an air raid on September 26, 1944; the current bridge was built from 1949 to 1951 according to plans by Ferdinando Reggiori. In the middle stands a small chapel dedicated to Saint John Nepomuk.
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    Certosa di Pavia
    Church

    4Certosa di Pavia

    Gian Galeazzo Visconti founded the Carthusian monastery in 1396 as a burial site for his family, eight kilometers north of Pavia. The church facade is covered with reliefs, statues, and marble inlays of the Lombard Renaissance, including works by Giovanni Antonio Amadeo. Around the large cloister are the monks' cells. By late 2025, the monks left the Certosa. From 2026, the Ministry of Culture has operated the complex with admission; in 2026, it was open from late March to late October, Tuesday to Sunday, 10 AM to 6 PM, closed Mondays.
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    The Pavia Duomo
    Church

    5The Pavia Duomo

    Cathedral construction began in 1488, designed by Bramante, Giovanni Antonio Amadeo, and Dolcebuono. The facade and dome were only finished in 1898; the 97-meter dome is Italy's third largest. The medieval city tower next to the cathedral collapsed March 17, 1989.
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    City walks in Pavia

    Curated walking tours through the city's highlights, handpicked by experienced travel journalists.

    Pavia: A Journey Through Time, History and Beauty

    Discover Pavia, the charming town on the Ticino, on this 2-hour walk. From historic bridges to magnificent cathedrals and Italy's oldest university, immerse yourself in the rich past and lively present of this Lombard pearl. Ideal for history buffs and romantics alike.

    ~2 Std.
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    Stops (6)

    Food & Drink

    1

    Antica Osteria del Previ

    Osteria in the Borgo Ticino quarter beyond the Ponte Coperto, with a wine bar and Pavese comfort food.
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    2

    Osteria of the Madonna by Peo

    Small osteria in an Old Town alley near the Duomo, with Italian and Lombard cuisine.
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    Dining & Drinks

    Pavia offers a diverse **culinary scene**, blending traditional Lombard cuisine with modern influences. From hearty risotto variations and regional cured meats in classic trattorias to creative street food options like Alvolo Cibi da Strada or experimental cafés such as Il Voltino – Caffetteria Sperimentale, you'll find a rich selection here.

    Zuppa alla pavese

    A broth with egg on toasted bread. According to tradition, a peasant woman prepared it for the French King Francis I after his defeat at Pavia in 1525.

    Risotto alla certosina

    Risotto with crayfish, carrots, and onions, according to tradition, invented by the monks of the Certosa.

    Wines from the Oltrepò Pavese

    The hill country south of the Po is mainly wine country, with numerous DOC and DOCG wines and 4,000+ wineries.

    History and Culture

    Capital of the LombardsThe Roman Ticinum was the Ostrogoths' capital 540-553. In 572, the Lombards captured the city after a long siege, holding it as capital until 774. Pavia also remained Italy's kings' coronation site; Frederick Barbarossa was crowned in San Michele Maggiore in 1155.Visconti and UniversityUnder the Visconti, the Castello and Certosa were built in the 14th century. The University was founded in 1361; its figures include physicist Alessandro Volta and physician Camillo Golgi.

    Nightlife

    1

    Detti e Spiriti

    Bar in Via Gilardelli.
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    2

    Alibi Pavia

    Bar in Via Giuseppe Galliano.
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    3

    Nuovo antares pavia

    27100 Pavia, Italien
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    Devoti CLUB

    Viale XI Febbraio, 2, 27100 Pavia PV, Italien
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    4

    VIBE PAVIA

    Via Piemonte, 19, 27028 San Martino Siccomario PV, Italien
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    5

    Wine All

    Bar in Piazza del Duomo.
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    6

    NO PLAN.

    Viale Montegrappa, 4, 27100 Pavia PV, Italien
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    7

    Pub Il Birratoio

    Bar in Via dei Mille.
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    8

    Hangover

    Bar in Viale Ludovico Il Moro.
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    On the go in Pavia

    Getting ThereRegional and suburban trains connect Pavia with Milan.In the CityThe old town is flat and easy to explore on foot. For the Certosa, eight kilometres north, take a regional train or bus.

    Accommodations in Pavia

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    Campgrounds in Pavia

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    Plan your trip to Pavia

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    1. 1
      Sunrise over alpine peaks and a sea of clouds
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      Trip to Pavia

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      • 1San Michele Maggiore3 days
      • 2Castello Visconteo4 days
      • 3Ponte Coperto5 days
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      Pavia
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    Nearby

    Milan

    Milan

    Milan is Italy's economic, fashion, and design metropolis and also a city of art with its Gothic Cathedral, Leonardo's Last Supper, and the Scala. Beyond the major sights, districts like Brera, Isola, and the Navigli with their canals shape city life.
    Bergamo

    Bergamo

    Bergamo consists of two cities: the medieval Upper Town, Città Alta, on a hill, encircled by Venetian walls, and the larger Lower Town, Città Bassa. The two are connected by a funicular.
    Lombardy

    Lombardy

    Lombardy stretches from the Alps, across the great pre-Alpine lakes, into the Po Valley. Besides Milan, art cities like Bergamo, Brescia, Mantua, and Pavia, as well as Lake Como, Lake Iseo, and Lake Garda, define the region.
    Asti

    Asti

    Asti is located in the Tanaro plain, between the Monferrato and Langhe hills, about 55 kilometers east of Turin. The city was one of Italy's first free communes in the Middle Ages; family towers, Gothic churches, and palaces bear witness to this. Asti is known for Asti Spumante sparkling wine, Barbera d'Asti red wine, and the Palio horse race.
    Genoa

    Genoa

    Genoa is the capital of Liguria and one of the largest ports in the Mediterranean. The city stretches for about 35 kilometers along the coast. Its Old Town with its narrow alleys, the Caruggi, is one of Europe's largest old towns; the Strade Nuove and part of the Palazzi dei Rolli have been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2006.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Unsplash, Google Maps. Each photo carries its credit.
    • Place data such as addresses and ratings comes from Google Maps.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI