Page 209 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Italy

L OMBARD Y І 207

Even after it lost its status to
Milan in 1359, Pavia remained
an important city, and great
Romanesque churches, tall
towers and other monuments
still reflect this.
As well as the Charterhouse
(Certosa) (see pp208–9), there is
the sandstone Basilica di San
The partly Renaissance Ponte Coperto, straddling the River Ticino at Pavia Michele off Corso Garibaldi.
The building was founded in the
9 Brescia 0 Lodi 7th century but largely rebuilt in
the 12th. Its façade is decorated
* 195,000. V @ n Via Musei 32 * 44,000. V @ n Piazza Broletto 4
(030 374 96 16). ( Sat. (0371 40 92 38). ( Tue, Thu, Sat & with symbols and friezes of
Sun. ∑ turismolodi.it fantastic animals, and inside
Lombardy’s second city after there are intricate carvings on
Milan boasts a rich artistic This is a charming medieval the columns; a chapel to the
heritage, ranging from Roman town of pastel-coloured houses, right of the main altar contains
temples to the triumphalist pretty courtyards and gardens. a 7th-century silver crucifix.
Mussolini-era architecture of Just off Piazza della Vittoria, the In the town centre, around
Piazza Vittoriale. The major sights arcaded square on which the Piazza della Vittoria, are several
include the Roman ruins around 12th-century Duomo stands, is ancient monuments, such as the
Piazza del Foro, consisting of the the fine Renaissance church of medieval Broletto (town hall),
Tempio Capito lino – a three-part the Incoronata. The magnificent with its 16th-century façade, and
temple incorporating the Museo octagonal interior is entirely the Duomo, originally begun in
di Santa Giulia, Brescia’s main decorated with wall paintings 1488 and worked on in turn by
gallery – and a theatre. The Pina- and gilding, and crowned Giovanni Antonio Amadeo,
coteca Civica Tosio Martinengo with a dome. One of the Leonardo and Bramante. The
has masterpieces by Raphael, chapels has 15th-century dome was added in the 1880s.
Lorenzo Lotto and Tintoretto; it is works by Bergognone. The 11th-century tower that
currently closed for restoration stood next to it collapsed
but important paintings are on suddenly in 1989. Crossing the
display at the Museo di Santa q Pavia river is the Ponte Coperto,
Giulia. The Duomo on Piazza * 71,000. V @ n Palazzo del a Renaissance covered bridge
Paolo VI, with its 11th-century Broletto, Piazza della Vittoria with a consecrated chapel
core and 17th-century exterior, is (0382 07 99 43). ( Wed & Sat. halfway along it. The bridge
another main attraction. One of ∑ turismo.provincia.pv.it was rebuilt after World War II.
the relics in the Duomo is the Pavia is also the site of one of
banner from the Carroccio, or During Pavia’s golden age, the Europe’s oldest (1361) and most
sacred ox cart, which served as a city was the Lombards’ capital, respected universities, now
symbol for the medieval Lega and later witnessed coronations residing around a series of Neo-
Lombarda. Piazza della Loggia, of Charlemagne and Frederick Classical courtyards off Strada
where the market is held, is Barbarossa. Nuova. This road continues
named after the Renaissance north to the 14th-century castle,
loggia, built in Palladian style. now home to the Museo Civico.
The 18th-century church of Northwest of Piazza Castello
San Nazaro e San Celso on is the 12th-century church, San
Via Bronzoni contains an Pietro in Ciel d’Oro. It no longer
altarpiece by Titian. boasts the fine gilded ceiling
after which it is named, but
T Tempio Capitolino does still contain a magnificent
Via Musei 57a. Tel 030 240 shrine to St Augustine, whose
06 40. Open Tue–Sun. & bones were allegedly brought
to Pavia in the 8th century.
E Museo di Santa The body of the philosopher
Giulia
Via Musei 81b. Tel 030 297 Boëthius (c.480–524) is buried
down in the crypt.
78 34. Open Tue–Sun.
& 7
E Museo Civico
E Pinacoteca Civica Castello Visconteo, Viale XI Febbraio 35.
Tosio Martinengo Tel 0382 338 53. Open 10am– 5:50pm.
Via Martinengo da Barcol. Tue–Sun (Jan, Jul, Aug & Dec: 9am–
Tel 030 377 49 99. 1:30pm). Closed public hols. & 7
Open daily. The Roman Tempio Capitolino in Brescia ∑ museicivici.pavia.it

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