Museo della Certosa di Pavia

The history of the Certosa di Pavia begins in 1396, with its foundation by the will of Gian Galeazzo Visconti, first Duke of Milan. Designed as magnificent dynastic mausoleum of the Visconti family and, later, of the Sforza family, its architecture reflects the the grandeur and prestige of the Duchy of Milan.

Built to house a monastery of the’meticulous order, characterised by a rigorous spirituality and from a lifetime of strict seclusion, the Certosa owes its extraordinary wealth of its artistic heritage to the generosity of Dukes of Milan and the priors who succeeded one another at the head of the monastery.

Between 18th and 19th centuries the complex went through a difficult period of abolition of religious orders, which led to the dispersion of part of its assets, particularly following the Napoleonic measures of 1810. After various vicissitudes, in 1968 the management of the monastery was entrusted to the Cistercian monks and today the complex is under the protection of the Ministry of Culture.