The Certosa di Pavia, 8 kilometres north of the city, is the finest thing in the province. The facade of the church, a cliff of white marble encrusted with medallions, statues, and bas-reliefs, is an extraordinary piece of Renaissance ambition — more decoration than architecture, applied over decades by a succession of sculptors. Inside, the church is vast and serene, with Visconti and Sforza tombs and frescoed chapels. The great cloister, with its terracotta ornament and herb garden, is one of the great monastic spaces in Italy.
Guided visits leave at regular intervals and are led by monks from the community. The route includes the small cloister, the refectory, and the lavatoria. Photography is restricted in parts of the complex. The Certosa sells its own liqueur, Chartreuse-style, from a shop at the entrance — a tradition worth supporting.