Pavia Cathedral, Renaissance cathedral in Pavia, Italy
Pavia Cathedral is a Renaissance church in the heart of the city in Lombardy, built on a Greek cross plan with three naves and a central dome. Semicircular chapels line the perimeter, offering different altars and liturgical spaces for devotion and visit.
The foundation was laid in 1488 under the direction of Giovanni Antonio Amadeo and Donato Bustamante, with contributions from Leonardo da Vinci for the crypt. Construction extended over centuries, and the completion of the central dome came only in later periods.
The building honors Saint Sirus, the first bishop of the city, whose remains rest inside and draw pilgrims from different regions. Visitors can explore the side chapels, where altars and liturgical artworks still play a role in the religious life of the community today.
The church opens daily, both morning and afternoon, and entry is free, so visitors can stop by without a reservation. The interior is accessible through the main entrance, and guests should wear appropriate clothing and keep voices low to respect those at prayer.
The dome spans a diameter of roughly 34 meters and ranks among the largest in Italy, showing what engineering feats were possible during the Renaissance. Its construction required specialized carpentry and scaffolding techniques that served as a model for other projects at the time.
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