Discover Novara and its surroundings

Tommaso Cagnola, they are considered among the most suggestive examples of 15th century Novara art.

Our journey may end here, but there are infinite possible alleys and side-roads. From the summit of the San Gaudenzio cathedral, we are treated to a 360° view, reminding us again of the ceaseless coming and going of endless landscapes and timeless history.

LOCAL TOURIST AGENCY OF THE PROVINCE OF NOVARA Piazza Martiri della Libertà, 3 In the Castle – Novara Tel. +39 0321.394059 info@turismonovara.it www.turismonovara.it @atlnovara

Photos: Angelo Anastasio, Federico Barra, Nicola Farise, Ernani Orcorte, Carlo Sguazzini

Project: In Viaggio nel Novarese

discover

Novara and its

surroundings #visitnovara

A city, its history, and its art. This is Novara and its territory, enclosed between two rivers: the Ticino to the east and the Sesia to the west. An historically complex city that today we will guide you through, layer by layer.

Our itinerary starts from the monumental complex of the Broletto. The civil heart of the city with its 12th century Palazzo dell’Arengo which welcomes us with its three monumental round arcades. At the far end of the building hangs the “Knights’ frieze” - named after the magnificent train of men on horseback prepared for war, completed by mysterious and allegorical figures - that dates back to 1260-70. The space is bordered by the Palazzo dei Paratici and the Palazzo del Podestà.

If the Broletto was the civil heart of the city, the Cathedral complex was, and still is, the religious one. We must imagine that, where the current neoclassical construction – by Alessandro Antonelli – stands now, there used to be an exquisite Romanesque cathedral that was completed around 1132.

The cathedral was, in fact, consecrated by Pope Innocent II upon his return from France, while the Diocese was led by the great reformer bishop, Litifred. The façade was connected to the Baptistry by some porticos and was preceded by a two-floor narthex. The Baptistry is one of the oldest and most important buildings in Novara. The grandiosity and iconographic complex of the monument is of international scope. Built in the 5th century, the interior of the vault ceiling is decorated with frescoes portraying scenes of the Apocalypse attributed to a maestro from the 11th century. In the 17th century, the Baptistry was enriched by a series of sculpted groups in painted terracotta depicting episodes of the Passion of Christ which are now conserved in the Museums of the Canonica of the Cathedral.

Moving northwards along Via San Gaudenzio, we find ourselves in front of the Basilica of the same name, commissioned to Pellegrino Tibaldi – San Carlo Borromeo’s favoured architect – and consecrated in 1590. This place of worship follows the typical counter-reform floorplan: a single hall with side chapels. The interior decorations are one of the pinnacles of painting quality in Lombardy and Piedmont between the 1500s and 1600s: in fact, the chapels were decorated by Morazzone, Tanzio

logno district. The parish church dedicated to Saints Hippolytus and Cassian conserves one of the most important masterpieces by Antonio d’Enrico, known as Tanzio da Varallo, depicting a Madonna of the Rosary with Saints Domenico and Francis.

da Varallo, the Della Rovere brothers, and Duchino, to name but a few. The church is completed by the elegant belltower built by architect Benedetto Alfieri between 1753 and 1786. But the visual and even symbolic reference point of the city is certainly the majestic dome designed

by Alessandro Antonelli and completed in 1887.

At 121 metres, the elegant neoclassic Antonellian architecture dominates the capital and its surrounding area.

Not far away is another example of Antonellian architecture which is worth a visit: the monumental villa Casa Bossi, on Via Pier Lombardo, is considered the most beautiful neoclassical building in Italy.

Facing onto Piazza Martiri and surrounded by the Allea Park, the awe-inspiring Visconteo-Sforzesco Castle today hosts exhibitions, events, museums and is home to the Novara province Tourist Office.

Thus, we picture our journey continuing along the “outer ring” of the city, towards the more peripheral – but no less historically important - districts.

On the Colle della Vittoria hill rise the church and convent of San Nazzaro alla Costa, of 15th century construction but certainly of older foundation, the interior of which is richly decorated with many laudable frescoes.

The Bicocca district, to the south-east of Novara towards Mortara, is renowned for the battle of the same name that was fought there on 23rd March 1849. The Santa Maria church remains in

the imagery of the time as symbolic of the conflict but is an interesting monument in itself. Built in the 17th century, inside it is richly decorated: we recall the beautiful painting by Giuseppe Danedi, known as Montalto, depicting San Carlo Borromeo in adoration of the relic of the Holy Nail dated 1668.

Not far southwards from here is the borough of Torrion Quartara where we can visit the church dedicated to St Eustachio; inside, the monumental 18th century painting by Oleggio-born artist Giuseppe Antonio Tosi, known as Cuzzio, portraying the Immaculate Conception is one of the most interesting works in the church.

Leaving the city westwards, in an imagined circle around the centre, we find ourselves in the Lumel-

Moving even further out towards the exterior of the city, we find a series of rural oratories that perhaps represent the most authentic aspect of local worship; among them, the most important are the ancient church of Saints Cosmas and Damian at the Cascina Isarno farmhouse in Vignale; not much further away is the Oratory of St Gerolamo, at the Cascina Avogadro farmhouse, full of frescoes that can be attributed to the workshop of De Bosis, and the Oratory of the Madonna of the Milk in Gionzana, a real hidden gem completely frescoed with 15th century paintings and culminating in the Madonna Enthroned with Donors in the apsidal conch.

Attributed to the artists Daniele De Bosis and