Hidden among rice fields in Italy, Pavia is a small but charming old town. This is one of the most impressive settlements in Lombardy. For many centuries, local authorities have maintained the original look of the historic center. Moreover, the town is a great place to enjoy the exploration of ancient Romanesque churches and see old houses reminiscent of towers. Many internationally famous poets and artists lived and worked in Pavia: Petrarca, Leonardo da Vinci, Carlo Goldoni, and talented Italian poet Ugo Foscolo. Nowadays, Pavia is not only an old settlement with rich cultural heritage but also a popular university town. A large number of students adds a lively spirit to the centuries-old settlement. Unlike many towns of similar size, life doesn’t stop in Pavia after sunset. Ancient Ligurians were the first settlers in the area. They called this area Ticinum. In 476, Roman patrician Orestes completely destroyed the town during the fall of the West Roman Empire. Fourteen years later, King Theodoric built the first palace on the ruins of the old town. Soon after that, a theatre and baths appeared in Pavia. To protect the settlement from the enemy invasions, the town got thick fortress walls. However, this was not enough to save the town from the Byzantine commander Narses. In 572, Lombards became the new rulers in the town. They changed the settlement’s name to Pavia. At the beginning of the 70s of the 8th century, Charlemagne captured the town. It took the
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