The Certosa di Pavia is a Carthusian monastery complex begun in 1396 by the Visconti family. Its extraordinary white marble facade is one of the great works of Lombard Renaissance art — an extraordinary cascade of reliefs, medallions, busts and decorative elements. The monastery is still home to a small community of Cistercian monks.
| Travel time | 30 minutes by train to Certosa di Pavia station |
|---|---|
| Getting there | Type: Train; Details: Trenord from Milano Centrale to Certosa di Pavia; every 30 minutes; Cost: €3.50; Duration: 30 min |
Suggested itinerary
- Train to Certosa. Walk 1km from station to the monastery. Join the free guided tour. Explore the small and large cloisters. Visit the shop for monastery products. Optional: add a visit to Pavia city (30min by train) for its castle and university.
Weather through the year in Italy
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Italy.
Highlights
- Extraordinary marble facade of the Certosa
- Interior with Renaissance frescoes and ducal tombs
- Monks' cloisters and gardens
- Free guided visit with the monks
- Shop selling monastery products (honey, liqueurs)
Tips for visiting
- The monastery is closed on Mondays
- Photography of the facade is permitted; interior photography restricted
- Combine with Pavia city for its Castello Visconteo and Università degli Studi (one of Italy's oldest universities)