The imposing facade of Palazzo centrale dell’Università di Pavia stands before you. Its history whispers tales of centuries past.
This grand building is the heart of the University of Pavia. It houses the rector’s office several faculties and the University History Museum. Founded in 1360 the university initially held classes in various locations. These included the Dominican monastery of San Tommaso private homes and the Broletto.
Duke Ludovico Sforza gifted the University the Palazzo di Azzone Visconti between 1485 and 1490. The university was the only one in the Duchy of Milan at the time and it was rapidly growing. The building underwent renovations in 1534. Two arcaded courtyards with loggias were created. One was for students of civil and canon law. It was called the Legale. Today it is dedicated to Alessandro Volta whose statue stands there. The other courtyard initially known as Medico is now dedicated to students who fell in World War I. Lecture halls for medicine philosophy and liberal arts surrounded this courtyard.
Giovanni Ambrogio Pessina redesigned the courtyards between 1661 and 1671. His style was similar to other Lombard buildings like Collegio Borromeo and the Accademia di Brera. He used double arcades supported by paired Doric columns of pink granite. These were linked by balustrades on the upper floor and polygonal arches.
Empress Maria Theresa revitalized the university in the 18th century. She reformed teaching hired renowned European scholars and ordered extensive renovations. Giuseppe Piermarini designed the simple facade along Strada Nuova. This was adorned with pilasters and two portals. He also altered the interior courtyards replacing coffered ceilings with vaults and changing polygonal arches to round ones.
The library was completed in 1772. The Aula Foscoliana built between 1775 and 1782 was for graduation ceremonies. The university’s rapid growth required further expansion. Emperor Joseph II granted the recently dissolved Leano monastery to the university in 1783. This was next to the Legale courtyard.
Leopold Pollack designed the new building. It featured a third courtyard with double loggias on paired Doric columns. Completed in 1785 it housed the Faculty of Theology. Pollack also designed the new anatomical theater (Aula Scarpa) between 1785 and 1786. The physics hall (now Aula Volta) was built in 1787. Both were funded by the Emperor.
The complex expanded again between 1819 and 1850. The southern part of the former Leano monastery and its church were demolished. Two more arcaded courtyards were built to Giuseppe Marchesi’s design. Many Roman-era inscriptions and stone finds were incorporated into the walls under the arcades. Marchesi also designed the grand staircase south of the Legale courtyard. This was built between 1822 and 1823. The new Aula Magna designed by Marchesi but completed under Giovanni Battista Vergani was built between 1845 and 1850.
In 1932 the San Matteo hospital moved to new clinics. The university then acquired the adjacent former hospital building built between 1449 and 1451.
The Palazzo centrale dell’Università di Pavia is more than a building. It is a living testament to Pavia’s rich intellectual heritage. It represents centuries of scholarship innovation and progress. Its stones hold memories of countless students and scholars. Their legacy continues to shape the world today.