Pavia (UK: , US: , Italian: [paˈviːa] (), Lombard: [pɐ'ʋi:ɐ]; Latin: Ticinum; Medieval Latin: Papia) is a town and comune of south-western Lombardy in northern Italy, 35 kilometres (22 miles) south of Milan on the lower Ticino river near its confluence with the Po. It has a population of c. 73,086. The city was the capital of the Kingdom of the Lombards from 572 to 774. The Central Hospital of Pavia -- Policlinico San Matteo -- is one of the most important hospitals in Italy.