Certosa di Pavia
Certosa di Pavia
4.5
9:00 AM - 11:30 AM, 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 11:30 AM
2:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 11:30 AM
2:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 11:30 AM
2:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 11:30 AM
2:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 11:30 AM
2:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 11:30 AM
2:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Full view
The area
Best nearby
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171 within 10 kms
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4.5
1,815 reviews
Excellent
1,195
Very good
418
Average
97
Poor
37
Terrible
68
Gary L
Portland, OR741 contributions
May 2023
huge monastery with only 7 remaining monks. Incredible art. ancient--started in 1396. One of the highlights of Pavia. construction ended in 1540. You can see the original cells of the monks with their gardens.
Written 31 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Angela Jenkins
2 contributions
Nov 2022 • Couples
Beautiful little university town. We saw an historic bridge which was quite unusual. We went to a Monestary ,very interesting. There is a huge park if you need shade. For ladies the shops are great and not too expensive. Plenty of restaurants too..
Written 9 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Richard D
Ciutadella, Spain754 contributions
Apr 2023
I was a little disappointed because as far as I could see only the church was opened for a visit and it would have been nice to see the rest of the grounds. The church façade is incredibly ornate and clearly reflect Renaissance esthetics, while the rest of the church is in brick. The interior, and in particular the altar area is well worth a visit.
Written 22 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TandemSpirits
Foligno, Italy544 contributions
Aug 2022
This is truly an impressive monastery that you should definitely visit if you're in the Pavia area. As others have written, your experience will be wonderful if you arrive around 9:30. Go to the alter-end of the church where, at around 9:45 one of the monks will come out and take you on a one-hour tour of the church and the monastery grounds along with a look at one of the monk "houses." Make sure you give the monk a donation (ours certainly deserved it). Also, make sure you visit the museum before or after your tour. The gift shop is great because the monks produce honey, liquor, an amaro and herbal candies which are really good.
Written 12 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert M Tomlin
Singapore, Singapore32 contributions
Aug 2022
An extraordinary complex starting in the 14th century with additions over several centuries. The tombs of several Visconti dukes of Milan are there, one of great complexity. Try to visit the museum, where casts of the individual tomb panels and figures on the facade are easier to study.
Very different architecture to the contemporary work in Florence, less marble, and a lot of ceramics and terra cotta.
The monks are still there, and you can buy their products such as honey and liqueurs.
For students of the monastic life also go and look at the Certosa di Calci, near Pisa.
Check opening hours.
Very different architecture to the contemporary work in Florence, less marble, and a lot of ceramics and terra cotta.
The monks are still there, and you can buy their products such as honey and liqueurs.
For students of the monastic life also go and look at the Certosa di Calci, near Pisa.
Check opening hours.
Written 21 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mrstraveller1
York, UK2,151 contributions
Jul 2021
Well worth the trip, the Certosa is magnificent, particularly its marbled facade.
I didn’t make it to the the 10am tour so looked around self guided. Entrance to the main building is free. A monk beckoned us to pass through the metal gates inside & discover the stunning chapels hidden within, & then onward to the interior courtyards. A donation is expected upon departure, with most following the lead of €10. The rule not to take photographs was widely, if furtively, ignored. Didn’t appear to be strict adherence to modest clothing particularly either. There is car parking close by & the attraction is served by bus & train. The latter takes 7 or 8 minutes from Pavia. There’s a bit of a walk from Certosa Station to the monastery, around a kilometre. The museum was closed during my visit, but a little shop selling honey & such like was open.
I didn’t make it to the the 10am tour so looked around self guided. Entrance to the main building is free. A monk beckoned us to pass through the metal gates inside & discover the stunning chapels hidden within, & then onward to the interior courtyards. A donation is expected upon departure, with most following the lead of €10. The rule not to take photographs was widely, if furtively, ignored. Didn’t appear to be strict adherence to modest clothing particularly either. There is car parking close by & the attraction is served by bus & train. The latter takes 7 or 8 minutes from Pavia. There’s a bit of a walk from Certosa Station to the monastery, around a kilometre. The museum was closed during my visit, but a little shop selling honey & such like was open.
Written 2 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John M
Santa Cruz, CA4,376 contributions
May 2021
Reading the other reviews, it is obvious that casual visitors do not understand the program. You can walk the grounds and there is a small museum with limited hours, but there is a very special FREE TOUR at 10AM SHARP. You enter the main building and go to the far end and wait in front of an iron gate. At 10AM, a monk opens the gate, lets in about 50 people, and then locks the gate. The tour of the facility and monk living quarters is about an hour and extremely interesting, although it is offered only in Italian language. There is no fee, but everyone gave the guide a tip of about 5 euro, and he asks visitors to buy things in the gift shop to support the institution, which I did. Please buy there and not from the unrelated vendors out on the street in front of the complex. There is a nice, inexpensive book in English that explains the history, and you can study after your tour.
Written 28 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PaulB
Maastricht, The Netherlands3,127 contributions
Jul 2019
The Certosa di Pavia is located about 10 km north of the city of Pavia.
It is one of the largest monasteries in Italy and one of the most beautiful.
The facade of the church of Certosa di Pavia is a true work of art, entirely made of marble and richly decorated with countless details. Medallions with the heads of historical figures and legendary heroes, scenes from the life of Christ, stories from the Old Testament, saints, prophets etc.
Construction began in 1396 and took until 1462.
The design was in the hands of Bernardo da Venezia, who also signed for the Duomo of Milan.
Another ten years later, the convent belonging to the church was finally finished.
Above all, the church breathes gothic, just like the Duomo of Milan. Golden stars shine on the ceiling.
You can also enter the inner garden through the heavy doors of the monastery,.
The monastery is still inhabited by Cistercian monks. The monks live around the small monastery garden, each in its own house.
They themselves may not have any property. Usually the style of the monasteries of the Cistercian monks was simple and sober. This monastery is really an exception to that rule, with its mix of Gothic and Renaissance architecture.
The Certosa di Pavia is open every day except Mondays.
In the morning you can go there from 9 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. (from November to February to 11 a.m.), in the afternoon from 2.30 p.m. to 5 p.m. or 5.30 p.m. (from November to March to 4.30 p.m., from May up to and including August until 6 pm).
The monastery also has a small museum, which unfortunately is not always open (you have the best chance from Thursday through Sunday in the afternoon). Two hundred models for the relief images on the facade, special altarpieces, paintings, sculptures and portraits an be admired in this museaum.
Believe it or not, admission to both the church and the museum is free. Therefore, one should at least give a (small) donation and/or buy something in the museum shop.
It is one of the largest monasteries in Italy and one of the most beautiful.
The facade of the church of Certosa di Pavia is a true work of art, entirely made of marble and richly decorated with countless details. Medallions with the heads of historical figures and legendary heroes, scenes from the life of Christ, stories from the Old Testament, saints, prophets etc.
Construction began in 1396 and took until 1462.
The design was in the hands of Bernardo da Venezia, who also signed for the Duomo of Milan.
Another ten years later, the convent belonging to the church was finally finished.
Above all, the church breathes gothic, just like the Duomo of Milan. Golden stars shine on the ceiling.
You can also enter the inner garden through the heavy doors of the monastery,.
The monastery is still inhabited by Cistercian monks. The monks live around the small monastery garden, each in its own house.
They themselves may not have any property. Usually the style of the monasteries of the Cistercian monks was simple and sober. This monastery is really an exception to that rule, with its mix of Gothic and Renaissance architecture.
The Certosa di Pavia is open every day except Mondays.
In the morning you can go there from 9 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. (from November to February to 11 a.m.), in the afternoon from 2.30 p.m. to 5 p.m. or 5.30 p.m. (from November to March to 4.30 p.m., from May up to and including August until 6 pm).
The monastery also has a small museum, which unfortunately is not always open (you have the best chance from Thursday through Sunday in the afternoon). Two hundred models for the relief images on the facade, special altarpieces, paintings, sculptures and portraits an be admired in this museaum.
Believe it or not, admission to both the church and the museum is free. Therefore, one should at least give a (small) donation and/or buy something in the museum shop.
Written 24 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
peebee43
Leigh-on Sea, UK787 contributions
Aug 2019
It is a bit outside Pavia but well worth the detour. A beautiful monastry with a magnificent frontage. It is vast inside as are the cloisters outside.
Written 20 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
h_schamhardt
The Netherlands208 contributions
Jul 2019 • Family
Seen about this monastery somewhere, and we were not disappointed, it is absolutely beautiful! We were allowed to enter the church and some of the complex without a guide, so could see everything at our own speed (but no explanations).
As is the case in many (Italian) churches, they expect the visitors to show the decency of dressing properly (covered shoulders, no short shorts/minidresses, etc.). And as in many religious places, indeed no photos allowed. When exiting a "donation" requested (or required), however again other (religious monuments ask a much bigger entrance fee...) Still an amazing place to visit.
However, opening times are limited (2 hours in morning, 2 in afternoon) and very tightly kept (you even get asked to leave the (itself quite nice store) at 1135 or so...). Not sure if this has to do with a (religious) schedule, or is just the rudeness other reviews describe...
So an amazing place, but with some key points to remember/realize (and service is not per se one of them...)
As is the case in many (Italian) churches, they expect the visitors to show the decency of dressing properly (covered shoulders, no short shorts/minidresses, etc.). And as in many religious places, indeed no photos allowed. When exiting a "donation" requested (or required), however again other (religious monuments ask a much bigger entrance fee...) Still an amazing place to visit.
However, opening times are limited (2 hours in morning, 2 in afternoon) and very tightly kept (you even get asked to leave the (itself quite nice store) at 1135 or so...). Not sure if this has to do with a (religious) schedule, or is just the rudeness other reviews describe...
So an amazing place, but with some key points to remember/realize (and service is not per se one of them...)
Written 23 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rosella Q
1 contribution
qual'è il parcheggio più vicino alla Certosa (indirizzo e/o nome)? Grazie
alessandro67fe
Ferrara, Italy80 contributions
nelle immediate vicinanze c'è u8n parcheggio
Jean-Marie V
Val-des-Monts, Canada125 contributions
Mon épouse et moi serons à la Chartreuse de Pavie , samedi le 27 mai 2023. Étant donné notre âge ( 74 et 73 ans ) , la question des toilettes peut paraître bizarre , mais fort utile. Y a t-il des toilettes pour les visiteurs et en bonnes conditions ? J'ai lu un avis d'un touriste que tout semble tomber en ruine et que la malpropreté règne. Merci pour votre réponse très utile.
_laura_68
Milan, Italy4 contributions
Buongiorno, vorrei sapere come si prenota la visita guidata alla Certosa,
Grazie
Laura
Laura Moi
Samarate, Italy57 contributions
la visita si divide in più percorsi: all'interno della Certosa oltre la ferrata la guida sarà direttamente un monaco a cui generalmente si lascia un'offerta libera (attenta agli orari, sono fiscalissimi! prima vai meglio è!) per l'esterno e il museo è meglio farsi coccolare da una guida esperta (i migliori sono della Cooperativa Dedalo. Occhio a orari e funzioni, e in questo periodo al greenpass necessario per entrare al museo. Comunque se vai al sito istituzionale del comune trovi sempre tutte le informazioni aggiornatissime. cerca su google il sito istituzionale del comune di Certosa di Pavia - Informazioni turistiche (mi spiace ma per regolamento qui non si possono aggiungere link)
eligio c
Milan, Italy1 contribution
Arrivo domani sabato 11 sett ore 11..posso visitare a quell'ora?
Tony540121
Milan, Italy531 contributions
Penso di sì. Le visite guidate dai frati sono ogni 1/2 ora. Buona visita.
Cristina
Lombardy, Italy243 contributions
Ad oggi, maggio 2021, è necessaria la prenotazione per la visita? È obbligatoria la visita guidata o è possibile visitare il complesso della certosa anche liberamente? Sul sito non si capisce. Grazie
Esiste un deposito bagagli in stazione ad Arezzo??
ParmaCarlo
Parma, Italy157 contributions
Devo accodarmi alle altre risposte. Pavia non e' Arezzo.
Margherita B
Milan, Italy58 contributions
La visita guidata va prenotata o basta presentarsi in loco? Grazie!
Myriam826
Milan, Italy96 contributions
Quando sono stata io bastava direttamente chiedere informazioni in segreteria
niky0691
120 contributions
A ferragosto sarà visitabile?
Leolina2014
Treviso, Italy335 contributions
Meglio consultare il sito e/o telefonare
Patty B
Province of Pisa, Italy84 contributions
Buongiorno, abbiamo un piccolo cane. Può entrare con noi a visitare il complesso?
massimo m
torino76 contributions
Secondo me si. Non ricordo di aver visto cartelli di divieto. Ma l’unico operatore presente era molto maleducato e poco disponibile. Fossi in voi telefonerei...
Buon viaggio
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Frequently Asked Questions about Certosa di Pavia
- Certosa di Pavia is open:
- Tue - Sun 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM
- Tue - Sun 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM
- Hotels near Certosa di Pavia:
- (0.63 km) Hotel Monumento
- (1.36 km) Hotel Italia
- (1.37 km) Il Pettirosso
- (0.71 km) Hotel Certosa 2
- (1.24 km) Dragonfly Country B&B
- Restaurants near Certosa di Pavia:
- (0.05 km) Gra-Car
- (0.24 km) Amare Ristorante
- (1.42 km) La Bruschetta 2
- (0.96 km) Risto Victoria Cafè
- (2.50 km) Agriturismo Granai Certosa
- Attractions near Certosa di Pavia:
- (0.03 km) Museo della Certosa di Pavia
- (0.97 km) Bar Soleluna Cafe
- (1.05 km) Oratorio San Riccardo Pampuri
- (8.27 km) Basilica San Michele Maggiore
- (8.14 km) Basilica San Teodoro