Pavia

Pavia is a city and comune in Lombardy, northern Italy, the capital of the Province of Pavia. It lies on the Ticino River, about 35 kilometers south of Milan, within the Po Valley. The city has a population of around 70,000 to 75,000 and serves as an important educational and cultural center in the region.

Historically, Pavia developed as Ticinum in Roman times and became a Lombard capital in the early Middle Ages. It was a seat of kings and bishops, and the 1525 Battle of Pavia, in which Francis I of France was captured by Charles V, occurred nearby. Notable landmarks include the Visconti Castle (Castello Visconteo), the covered Ponte Coperto across the Ticino, and the churches of San Pietro in Ciel d’Oro and San Michele Maggiore. The Certosa di Pavia, a major Carthusian monastery founded by Gian Galeazzo Visconti in 1396, is located a few kilometers away.

Education and culture: The University of Pavia, founded in 1361 and chartered by Emperor Charles IV, is among Europe’s oldest universities. The city hosts museums and a historic center with university buildings. The economy blends services, light industry, and viticulture from nearby Oltrepò Pavese.

Today, Pavia is known for its historical architecture, academic tradition, and its role as a regional transport hub, connected by rail and road to Milan and other towns.