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After World War II, the Visconti Castle became the headquarters of the Civic Museums of Pavia. Located within the rooms of the Visconti Castle, the Civic Museums of Pavia house a vast collection of materials that tell the history of the city, from the Roman era to the 19th century.

The museum consists of the following sections:

• Archaeological Section
• Lombard Section
• Medieval and Renaissance Section
• Malaspina Art Gallery
• Wooden Model of the Cathedral Room
• 17th-18th Century Art Gallery
• 19th Century Art Gallery and Morone Collection
• Museum of the Risorgimento
• Robecchi Bricchetti Museum

THE BATTLE OF PAVIA

The room is dedicated to the famous Battle of Pavia, which marked the fate of modern Europe. It was fought in the park of the Visconti Castle on February 24, 1525, between the troops of Emperor Charles V and those of King Francis I of France.

In addition to admiring several iconographic testimonies related to this important historical event, such as prints and paintings depicting military operations or the involved figures, visitors can immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the time through multimedia content - videos and touchscreens - created in 2015 during a highly successful exhibition, which displayed one of the seven tapestries of the Battle of Pavia preserved at the Capodimonte Museum.

During the spring and summer months, beautiful tours are organized to the top of the castle tower, where visitors can admire Pavia from above.

From June 24 to September  2025 

the Malaspina Art Gallery, located within the Civic Museums of Pavia at the Visconti Castle, will be temporarily closed to the public. This closure is necessary to prepare for the upcoming exhibition entitled “Pavia 1525 – The City, the Arts, the Battle.”

A major historical and cultural event, the exhibition will explore the context of the city of Pavia and its role in the historic Battle of 1525. The opening is scheduled for September 2025, offering visitors the opportunity to delve into a pivotal moment in local history and its artistic expressions.

During this period, the museum will ensure that every detail of the setup is carefully attended to, in order to provide a rich and engaging experience for all.