In the erection of public buildings he was magnificent.

The Certosa of Pavia and the Duomo of Milan owed their foundation to his sense of splendor.

At the same time he completed the palace of Pavia, which his father had begun, and which he made the noblest dwelling-house in Europe.

The University of Pavia was raised by him from a state of decadence to one of great prosperity, partly by munificent endowments and partly by a wise choice of professors.

In his military undertakings he displayed a kindred taste for vast engineering projects.