When we talk about Pavia in the Middle Ages, we inevitably come across the name of Opicino De Canistris: a very precious and authoritative source, Opicino was not simply a historian but an incredible draftsman, cartographer and miniaturist very often (and rightly) defined as a visionary.
Suffice it to say that his "Libellus descriptione Papiae" , a fundamental guidebook to the physiognomy of our city in the Middle Ages, was written far from Pavia, when Opicino lived in Avignon at the papal court and is therefore based on memories of the places he describes mixed with dreams and bizarre hallucinations. Yes, because Opicino De Canistris was a priest, but at the same time passionate about astrology and popular traditions; we know a lot about him, even the date of conception! And yet he is an extremely mysterious character.
He was haunted throughout his life by visions and apparitions that led him to develop a personal idea of good and evil in continuous reciprocal dialectic. His relationship with Pavia is also based on contrast: he defines it as a wonderful city but also the generator of a terrible monster, having been forced to abandon it for political reasons.
During our guided tour we will see "Papia" through his eyes, we will imagine its hundred towers and the many churches (some of which have disappeared or been transformed), also thanks to the reading of some evocative passages and the help of the incredible drawings that Opicino left us.
For info and reservations see our calendar
