Through the ages, has been able to pre- and walking through the historic centre is a regenera- church is the resting place of the mortal remains of serve its original grid-like urban plan, of Roman ting experience both for the mind and for the body. Saint Augustine, preserved in a marble arc that is a origins. During the Middle Ages the city, which The walk from the river and the Ponte Coperto masterpiece of the sculptor’s art. lies along the pilgrims’ road known as the ‘Via Visiting Pavia means discovering the past and the Francigena’, offered hospitality to pilgrims in its present in the words of your guide, who will bring many convents. Today, the modern pilgrim can alive the dynamism and vitality that led to the stay in a city where the quality of life is high, and rivalry between Pavia and , the two main monuments, works of art and traditions constitute contestants throughout history for the role of politi- its greatest wealth. cal and cultural capital of . Visiting Pavia also means exploring the roots of Today the city makes the most of its modest size, Lombard art and culture, for the city was for many the quality of its environs and its cultural life and years the capital of the Lombard kingdom. study opportunities, while never neglecting the ga- For centuries the political and religious importance stronomic arts. The river Ticino, whose blue waters of the city has been incarnated in the Basilica di San are plied by rowing boats and pleasure craft, offers Michele. Founded during the early middle ages, it scenery and fun. is a masterpiece of Romanesque Lombard architec- The Visconti and Vernavola parks are the green ture. Here, kings and Holy Roman Emperors were lungs of the city, with cycle paths that lead to the

Walking, rowing, cycling… your stay in Pavia! once crowned, most famous among whom was (Covered Bridge ), along Strada Nuova to the Castle Frederick I, ‘Barbarossa’. takes the tourist through all the different historical The medieval atmosphere that Pavia still preserves eras that have touched the city, from the Roman period is most tangible when one strolls through the many through to the Renaissance and the Enlightenment. ancient alleyways, streets and squares. The round You encounter Fraschini theatre (1771-1773), desi- cobblestones are a peculiarity of the city streets, gned by Antonio Galli Bibiena, one of the great ma- sters of the late Baroque style, and one of Europe’s most ancient and important universities. This building is significant not only for its architecture but also for the large number of renowned academics who have taught in its austere halls, including Alessandro Volta, Ugo Foscolo and Camillo Golgi. The Castello Visconteo ( ), built by the Visconti family from 1360 to 1365, was in its heyday a splendid and luxurious court. Today it houses the , a haunting Renaissance mona- Civic Museums, with rich archeological and artistic stery. collections. The art museums and the scientific museums of the Not far from the Castle rises San Pietro in Ciel d’Oro University, the historical libraries, the conservatory (The Church of Saint Peter in the Golden Sky ). This of music, the theatre, the botanical gardens and the University colleges all ensure a packed cultural schedule. Pavia, city of art and culture, is therefore an oppor- tunity for any visitor to immerse themselves in the traces of many historical eras. Visitors to the city cannot help but appreciate the way in which Pavia works hard to maintain and exploit its artistic and scientific heritage and its beautiful surroundings.

“Alleyways, streets, monuments, palaces… the city offers many itineraries to any visitor who arrives for the first time in Pavia. As you walk through the historical centre you can rewrite the history of the city, bringing to life the grandeur that is still reflected in the modern city. Wel- come to Pavia!” Gian Marco Centinaio Alderman responsible for tourism

www.comune.pv.it Welcome to Pavia P a v i a City of Art and Culture

Tourist Information Office Palazzo del Broletto Piazza della Vittoria, 14/h I - 27100 Pavia Tel. +39 0382.079943 - +39 0382.597001 Fax +39 0382.399244 Open: mon. - fri., 9 am-1 pm / 2-5 pm sat. - sun., 10 am-1 pm / 2- 6pm

Town Hall of Pavia Department of Tourism and Culture, City Promotion and Marketing Via Paratici, 21 I - 27100 Pavia Tel. +39 0382.399343 - Fax +39 0382.399244 www.comune.pv.it - [email protected]

Traduzione testi: Ivan Fowler Progetto grafico: Sabrina Capelli Foto: Umberto Barcella, Paul Bakolo Ngoi Town Hall of Pavia