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From Pavia to Vigevano
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Following the Ticino river, within a handful of kilometers one can visit two cities of important cultural heritage and various other monuments. The distances are such that they allow one to persue the course on two wheels if so desired. |
| Certosa di Pavia |
 10 km north of Pavia, the Certosa di Pavia, in the town carrying the same name, is one of Lombardia'a major monuments. The facade of the church along is a work of art, between the representations of historical figures and events and the uncountable number of sculptures. The church is home to numerous other works, be they paintings, frescoes or sculputures, including the twin representations of Beatrice d'Este and Ludovico il Moro by Solari.
After the 'business' of the church, one enters the first cloister and its red-brick warmth. Through a subsequent passage, one enters tha large cloister - a true oasis of peace and contemplation. |
| Pavia |
A university town, Pavia has a very uniform urban fabric in terms of heritage. Many areas being off-limits to vehicles, one tends to appreciate these treasures more.
In the centre is Visconteo castle (XIVth century), home of the city museums, and the nearby romanic S. Pietro in Ciel d'Oro church. Towards the university, past the Civic Theatre (XVIIIth century) and into piazza Leonardo da Vinci we reach the XVth century ex-hospital of San Matteo and some of the towers that have remained from medieval times. Before reaching the Duomo, the ruins of one such tower, wchich collapsed in 1989, are visible. Towards the river, consider the gothic S. Maria del Carmine and the romanic S. Teodoro. The original covered bridge lasted from the fourteenth century until WWII, when it had to be entirely rebuilt. On the other side of the river is the Borgo Ticino neighbourhood and the late-romanic S. Maria in Betlem. Off of the historical centre is an interesting church of S. Lazzaro (XIIIth century) combining romanic and gothic elements. |
| Along the Ticino |
Towards Vigevano, one enters deep into agricultural Lombardia with the Ticino natural park off to the side. Many walks, biking or boating excursions are possible, but be patient as the environment is not visually polluted by an abundance of signage.
On the way, Morimondo has a hilltop cisternian abbaye and the gothic church of Santa Maria (XIIIth century). From here, through Ozzero, we trek towards the other bank of the Ticino. |
| Vigevano |
 Commissioned by Ludovico il Moro, the XVth century piazza Ducale is a harmonious blend of space, art, infinite detail (all representation in frescoes and every chimeney is unique), originality (the facade of the Duomo has doorways intrompe l'oeil which lead elsewhere and urban fabric. This is really the center of many architectural jewels, such as the Sforzesco castle, the stables built to house a thousand horses, the falcon breeding pavillion and the evocative covered road. |
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