Ancient capital of the Longobard kingdom, Pavia has always been an important religious centre thanks to its marvellous Certosa, just a few kilometres from the city centre, and its churches, including the Basilica of San Michele Maggiore and the Church of San Pietro in Ciel d'Oro, which preserves the Tomb of Saint Augustine, as well as an inestimable artistic heritage.
Famous for its ancient university, one of the oldest in Italy, Pavia is rich in history and art, here in fact, you can admire its "towers", that once were very numerous, and for this reason in the past Pavia was called the city of "Cento Torri”. Moreover the city was important for its Renaissance buildings, including the Duomo, designed by the famous Italian artist Donato Bramante.
Even lovers of good food will find satisfaction for their palate, actually there are still many "Trattorie" along the river Ticino where you can taste the typical dishes of the tradition as well as the excellent wine produced in the Oltrepo Pavese.
Finally, for nature lovers, there are a lot of excursions, on foot and by bicycle, to admire the flora, fauna and the surrounding landscape.