Pavia celebrates 500 years of the battle: events and exhibitions in 2025

February 24, 1525 is a date that has left an indelible mark on European history. On that day, one of the most significant battles of the Renaissance, the Battle of Pavia, took place near Pavia, which saw the clash between the French army of Francis I and the Hispano-imperial army led by the viceroy of Naples, Charles of Lannoy, in the service of Charles V of Habsburg. The result was an overwhelming victory for the Hispano-imperial forces, marking the beginning of Spanish supremacy in Italy and Europe.

The five-hundredth anniversary of this pivotal event will be celebrated in 2025 with a rich cultural program organized by the Operating Committee consisting of the Municipality of Pavia, the Monte di Lombardia Foundation, the Chamber of Commerce of Cremona-Mantova-Pavia, and theUniversity of Pavia. The initiative, made possible through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, aims to restore the historical, artistic and cultural relevance of this page of history.

A packed program of events

The calendar of events kicks off on Feb. 15 with the opening of the multimedia exhibition The Battle of Pavia, Feb. 24, 1525: the times, the places, the men at the Musei Civici del Visconti Castle. Through the use of interactive technologies such as virtual (VR) and augmented reality (AR), as well as immersive projections, visitors will be able to explore the details of the clash and its historical context.

The heart of the celebrations will undoubtedly be the grand historical reenactment, which will take place Feb. 21-23 at Mirabello Castle Park, the symbolic site of the battle. More than 600 costumed reenactors will bring to life a faithful reconstruction of the clash, allowing the public to relive the atmosphere of that momentous day. There will be no shortage of sporting events: on March 30, the Battaglia di Pavia 2025 race will start from the Visconteo Castle, a 12-kilometer competition open to both professional athletes and enthusiasts.

Among the cultural initiatives, the documentary exhibition La miseranda Citade stands out. Pavia Besieged 1522-1527, hosted from April to September at the Santa Maria Gualtieri venue in Piazza della Vittoria. This exhibition will shed light on the tumultuous years that marked the city, including wars and sieges.

In April, the University of Pavia will be the site of the international conference Pavia 1525. A momentous battle in a changing world, held in collaboration with the Universities of Sorbonne and Tours. Scholars from around the world will discuss the geopolitical and cultural impact of the battle.

Battle of Pavia, historical re-enactment

Renaissance treasures and masterpieces

The program continues in the fall with two important exhibitions. The first, hosted in the Salone Teresiano of the University Library, will be a book exhibition offering an opportunity to admire 16th-century texts related to the battle and its time. The second, entitled Pavia 1525, the city, the arts and the battle, will be held at the Visconti Castle and will focus on the extraordinary artistic production of the Pavia Renaissance. In the latter exhibition, curated by a team of experts (Francesco Frangi, Pietro Cesare Marani, Mauro Natale and Laura Aldovini with Carmine Romano), the public will be able to admire the spectacular tapestries of the Battle of Pavia on loan from the Capodimonte Museum. Made in the 1630s by the Flemish manufactory of Jan and Willem Dermoyen from designs by Bernard von Orley, these masterpieces vividly depict the Battle of Pavia.

The five-hundredth anniversary celebrations of the Battle of Pavia do not merely commemorate a war event: they represent a journey into the heart of an era that shaped the destiny of modern Europe. Through exhibitions, re-enactments, lectures and cultural activities, Pavia serves as a center of historical and cultural interest for visitors and scholars. More information on the full program and how to participate can be found on the official website at www.battagliadipavia1525.it.

Pavia celebrates 500 years of the battle: events and exhibitions in 2025

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