Pavia
The Certosa di Pavia: a unique historical and artistic treasure in the world
Have you ever been to the Certosa di Pavia? If the answer is no, you should remedy it as soon as possible! The historical monumental complex, located in the homonymous municipality of Certosa di Pavia, just eight kilometers north of Pavia, is one of the most beautiful and representative works of art in Lombardy. The building, dating back to the end of the 14th century, was erected by Gian Galeazzo Visconti, Lord of Milan, as a sepulchral mausoleum of the Milanese dynasty.
The story behind the construction of the Certosa
The construction of the Certosa di Pavia began on August 27, 1396, when the Duke of Milan laid the first stone of the Certosa. Gian Galeazzo Visconti had already given impetus to the construction of the Cathedral of Milan, for which he had spent enormous sums, and the erection of this monument represented another tool of prestige that competed with the other Italian courts of the time. In addition, the Certosa was to be the place where the Duke's monumental tomb would be placed, for which he had left specific testamentary provisions.
The construction of the Certosa was also the result of political tensions related to the new aspirations and political ideals of the Duke of Milan, oriented towards monarchical sense. After deposing his uncle Bernabò Visconti in a coup in 1385 and reunifying the Visconti domains, Gian Galeazzo resided in Pavia, recalling the memory of the Lombard Kingdom and the Kingdom of Italy, which had placed the center of their royalty in the Royal Palace of Pavia.
Wanting to emphasize his centrality called into question by the lord's choices, the people of Milan decided in 1386 to build a new structure: the Cathedral of Milan. However, the relationship between Gian Galeazzo and the heads of the factory were often tense, as the Duke intended to transform the Cathedral of Milan into the pantheon of the dynasty, inserting into the central part of the monument the funerary monument of his father Galeazzo II Visconti. This found strong opposition from both the factory leaders and the Milanese, who wanted to emphasize their autonomy.
The architectural style of the Certosa di Pavia
The Certosa di Pavia boasts architectural and artistic contributions from several masters of the time, from Bernardo da Venezia, its original designer, to Giovanni Solari and his son Guiniforte Solari, Giovanni Antonio Amadeo, Cristoforo Lombardo, and others. The monument sums up several styles, from the late Italian Gothic architecture to Renaissance architecture, making it unique in the world and a real historical and artistic treasure.
The fate of the Certosa after the unification of the Kingdom of Italy
After the unification of the Kingdom of Italy (1861-1946), the Certosa was declared an Italian national monument in 1866 and acquired among the properties of the public Domain. As with all artistic and ecclesiastical assets contained therein, the Certosa also became part of the Italian cultural heritage. Since 1968, it has housed a small Cistercian monastic community.
Remarkable artistic heritage
The buildings that are part of the monumental complex host the headquarters of the Museo della Certosa di Pavia and the local Carabinieri station. The museum constitutes a remarkable artistic heritage, inside of which it is possible to find paintings, statues, stuccos, and other artifacts collected over the centuries by the Certosa, as well as works of art from other places.
Conclusions
In conclusion, the Certosa di Pavia represents not only an artistic and cultural heritage of great value for Lombardy but also one of the most beautiful and representative monuments of Gothic and Renaissance art worldwide. If you are a lover of art and history, you cannot miss the opportunity to visit it!
