Milan to Pavia and Certosa di Pavia: Private day trip

Pavia blends scholarly tradition with Roman roots and an understated, lived-in elegance. Explore Pavia at a comfortable pace, starting with a stroll through its medieval streets and past the ancient university buildings. Visit the Duomo to experience one of northern Italy’s most impressive church interiors, home to the remains of St. Sirus, the first Bishop of Pavia, and a thorn supposedly from Christ’s Crown of Thorns. Then cross the Ponte Coperto and enjoy a riverside walk along the Ticino. If time allows, stop for an espresso or light lunch near the main square before meeting your driver for the short journey to the monastery.

A monumental monastery rising quietly from the Lombard countryside, rich in art and history. Arrive at the Pavia Monastery, officially built between 1396 and 1495 under the commission of Gian Galeazzo Visconti, Duke of Milan. Begin at the richly decorated facade, where marble reliefs reflect late Gothic and early Renaissance styles. Inside, admire frescoes and altarpieces created during the 15th and 16th centuries. Continue into the cloisters, once home to Carthusian monks who lived here in near silence. Allow at least an hour to explore the complex at a relaxed pace. Surrounded by open countryside, the monastery still conveys the power, wealth, and spiritual ambition of Milan’s ruling families.