Pavia Cathedral, Renaissance cathedral in Pavia, Italy
Description
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.
History
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.
Culture
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.
Practical
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.
Did you know?
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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Civic Tower
64 m
San Teodoro, Pavia
243 m
Broletto
43 m
San Giovanni Domnarum
226 m
Archivio di Stato di Pavia
127 m
Regisole
88 m
Palace Carminali Bottigella
276 m
Diocesan Museum of Pavia
67 m
Palazzo dei Diversi
89 m
Church Santa Maria Gualtieri
195 m
Politeama (Pavia)
206 m
Galleria Arnaboldi
132 m
Palazzo dell'ex Albergo del Saracino
164 m
Palazzo Beccaria
117 m
San Giuseppe
89 m
Casa Belcredi
262 m
Oratorio della Confraternita di San Rocco e della Misericordia
171 m
Chiesa di San Nicolò della Moneta
80 m
Palazzo Folperti
175 m
Palazzo Vescovile di Pavia
118 m
Oratory of Crocifisso (Pavia)
141 m
Casa di Cristoforo Bottigella
175 m
Casa Galliani
80 m
Palazzo Scagliosi Beccaria Scarenzio
171 m
Palazzo Trovamala
205 m
Casa Menochio
211 m
Casa Folperti
205 m
San Maiolo
96 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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