I visited this tentative WHS in July 2019 and mainly focused my visit on the Certosa. The monastery and complex is one of the biggest in Italy and 2nd most important Carthusian monastery after the one in Padua. Built in 1396-1495, it was once located on the border of a large hunting park belonging to the Visconti family of Milan, of which today only scattered parts remain (so no par force hunting landscape here left).

The Certosa is open everyday except Mondays all year round from 09:00 till 11:30 and from 14:30 till 16:30/18:00 depending on the season (always make sure to check out for holidays before visiting just in case). Incredibly enough for such a great site, it's completely free! Though the Carthusians in their early centuries were known for their seclusion and asceticism and the plainness of their architecture, the Certosa is renowned for the exuberance of its architecture, in both the Gothic and Renaissance styles, and for its collection of artworks which are particularly representative of the region. That said, the marble facade is more reminiscent of Tuscan monuments!

The small and large cloisters are accessible from the church and the red brick architecture and Verona marble angel figures adorning the arches are a sight to behold, both for the quality and detail as well as for the sheer size of the whole structure. By visiting the gift shop you might be able to meet some of the few friars who still live here and sample their variety of herbs and medicinal plants. An interesting trivia is that in August 1946 the illegally exhumed body of Benito Mussolini was discovered in the complex and two Franciscan friars were charged with assisting in the concealment of the body.

Keep your eyes peeled in the new Sacristy as it contains a vivid cycle of frescoes by the Sorri brothers, belonging to the late Sienese Mannerism. While visiting the complex, silence should be kept at all times, even though there wasn't anybody implementing the rule. Apparently photography is also not allowed, especially inside the church, but again luckily nobody was around when I visited (except in the gift shop). The church interior is top notch too and I must say that after the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua, this is certainly one of the best tentative sites on Italy's list.