Mackintosh left Milan for Pavia on 7 July 1891. There are no notes in his diary which relate to his stay there but he was undoubtedly impressed by the town and the Certosa di Pavia, a Carthusian monastery built in the 15th Century with a 16th Century facade. He made at least 24 drawings and watercolours of varous aspects of the Certosa. In a lecture given to the Glasgow Architectural Association on 6 September 1892, Mackintosh enthused:

'The facade of this edifice, by Ambrogio Borgnone, an example of the riches/Renaissence style, is entirely covered with marble of different colours, and most tastefully decorated. At the base are medallions of Roman Emperors, and above them scenes from sacred history, beyond them are the magnificent windows, which for beauty & delicacy of workmanship cannot be equalled anywhere.

'The interior which has a very gorgeous effect was also decorated by Borgnone. Every chapel contains valuable pictures & other objects of interest and are separated from the nave, as is the transepts & choir, by beautiful iron & brass screens. The choir stalls are covered with intersia which is perhaps the best in Italy. A beautiful door to the right of the choir leads to the Lavatorio where there is an exquisite marble fountain, which perpetuates the memory of the architect of this noble pile. The cloisters which are got at through/another beautiful door, are surrounded by marble columns and charming decorations, in terra cotta.'