Pavia Cathedral, dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta, is a 12th-century Romanesque cathedral located in the city’s historic center. Its construction began in 1488, designed by architect Gian Galeazzo Visconti, and was not completed until the 16th century.The architecture of Pavia Cathedral is of great interest and has several stylistic influences, such as Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance. The facade, in particular, is an example of the Gothic style, with the presence of three large entrance portals, a rose window, and numerous sculptures.Inside the cathedral are several works of art of great historical and artistic value. The most famous of these is the Chapel of St. Augustine, decorated with frescoes by Bernardino Luini, one of Lombardy’s greatest Renaissance artists. The chapel also houses the funeral monument of Gian Giacomo Trivulzio, one of the most important military commanders of his time.Other works of art in Pavia Cathedral include the Baptistery, dating from the 4th century and one of the oldest in Western Europe; Benedetto Briosco’s wooden Crucifix, a sculpture of great artistic value; and the tomb of St. Lanfranco, the first archbishop of Pavia.Among the most interesting anecdotes related to Pavia Cathedral is that related to the construction of the dome, which was supposed to be larger than that of St. Peter’s in Rome. However, the original design was never completed and the dome remained unfinished.Another curiosity concerns the bell tower, about 76 meters high, which was built at different times and has three different architectural styles: Romanesque at the base, Gothic in the middle, and Renaissance at the top.In general, Pavia Cathedral is one of the most important and representative monuments of the city, bearing witness to its history and culture through art and architecture.
