Museo diocesano di Pavia
Museum route through the underground spaces of Pavia Cathedral, among the remains of the ancient cathedral of Santa Maria del Popolo and the Romanesque crypt.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Museo diocesano di Pavia lies beneath the Duomo and arose from the recovery and restoration works begun in 2004 to create the Museo della Cattedrale. The works have brought to light a section of the long construction site of the cathedral and the only surviving evidence on site of the ancient cathedral of Santa Maria del Popolo, as well as many other elements of historical and architectural interest. The museum was inaugurated by the Diocese of Pavia on 21 January 2023.
The restoration has made usable again underground spaces that for many years had remained almost entirely inaccessible because of severe decay. Excavations in the first stretch of the route have identified early medieval structures, polylobed brick piers and fragments of the Romanesque floor mosaic of Santa Maria del Popolo, preserved in situ. A vaulted room with a triangular plan is bounded by the foundations of the octagon of the Renaissance cathedral. Traces of the stairs that descended into the wide Romanesque crypt have also emerged.
The route runs entirely beneath the Duomo and traces the architectural transformations of the cathedral. It starts from the ancient north aisle of the winter cathedral, descends into the Romanesque crypt and ends in the space corresponding to the apse of the south arm of the twentieth-century transept. A raised metal walkway with a grating floor allows visitors to see the finds below and ensures access to the spaces. Panels with texts, photographs and drawings explain the history of the site and the phases of the restoration.
Highlights
- Remains of the ancient cathedral of Santa Maria del Popolo
- Romanesque crypt with columns and capitals
- Fragments of the Romanesque floor mosaic
- Polylobed brick piers and early medieval structures
- Raised walkway above the archaeological levels
- Panels on the history of the cathedral and on the restoration
Permanent exhibition
- Percorso museale sotto il Duomo – Underground route through the cathedral's transformations, from the north aisle of the ancient winter cathedral to the Romanesque crypt and the apse of the twentieth-century transept.
- Founded
- 2023
- Operated by
- Diocesi di Pavia
Admission & discounts
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Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
A walkway of metal sections with a grating floor, raised above the archaeological levels and the original stairs, ensures access to the underground spaces.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
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Amenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
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