Novarese

<< Piedmont

Most of the Province of Novara is occupied by the plain of the Po Valley, between the rivers Sesia and Ticino. The main attractions can be found in the provincial capital, while the rest of this area is mostly rural, with many agricultural centers. Despite being part of Piedmont, the entire province is closely linked with Lombardy. The northern part of the province is instead divided between the regions of Cusio and Vergante.

Novara

Novara is the second largest city in Piedmont, located in the east of the region near the border with Lombardy. Founded by the Romans in 89 BCE, it was an important town for centuries, but it was sacked multiple times during the fall of the Roman Empire. In the Middle Ages, Novara was a Lombard duchy and then a free comune. The city saw centuries of war and was mostly ruled by Milan before passing to the House of Savoy and finally joining Italy during the unification of the country. During the 20th century Novara became a major industrial center.

✪ Basilica of San Gaudenzio

The Basilica of San Gaudenzio is a church in Novara, erected starting in the 16th century. The church houses numerous artworks and decorated chapels, but it is best known for its monumental dome, which dominates the skyline of Novara. Designed by architect Alessandro Antonelli and completed in 1887, the dome reaches a height of 121 meters and it is adorned with columns and Neoclassical decorations. A 5-meter-tall statues stands of top of the dome.

✪ Novara Cathedral

Also known as: Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta

The Novara Cathedral (Duomo di Novara) is a large Neoclassical church in Novara, erected in the 19th century and designed by architect Alessandro Antonelli. The cathedral was built to replace a Romanesque church dating from the 12th century. It features a large Neoclassical facade and a series of porticoes, while its interior houses some artworks. A Paleochristian Baptistery hosting various ancient frescoes is adjacent to the cathedral. Other adjacent buildings instead house the Musei della Canonica del Duomo di Novara, a rich museum featuring numerous archaeological findings and artworks.

Broletto of Novara

The Broletto is a complex of various medieval buildings in Novara. During the Late Middle Ages, this area was the center of the local political life, hosting the meeting place of the city council and other important institutions. Restored in the 20th century, some of the buildings now host the Galleria Giannoni, a museum of modern art.

Teatro Coccia

Teatro Coccia is a opera house in Novara, and one of the most important historic theaters in Italy. Erected in the late 19th century to replace a previous theater, it features various decorations and two halls. The theater has always been regarded as prestigious and has hosted many important conductors, actors, and sopranoes.

Visconti-Sforza Castle of Novara

The Visconti-Sforza Castle (Castello Visconteo-Sforzesco) is a medieval castle in Novara, erected during the 13th century. The castle was originally built by the Della Torre family, who ruled over the city, and later expanded by the Visconti and Sforza dynasties of Milan. After serving as military barracks and prison for centuries, the castle has now been restored.

Faraggiana Ferrandi Natural History Museum

The Faraggiana Ferrandi Natural History Museum (Museo di Storia Naturale Faraggiana Ferrandi) is a collection of zoological and biological specimens located next to the Basilica of San Gaudenzio in Novara. The museum houses specimens from all over the world, including some rare species.

Abbey of San Nazzaro della Costa

The Abbey of San Nazzaro della Costa (Abbazia di San Nazzaro della Costa) is a religious complex located at the outskirts of Novara. Originally erected during the Late Middle Ages and later reworked, the church features a series of ancient frescoes dating from the 13th and 14th century.

San Nazzaro Sesia

San Nazzaro Sesia is a tiny town located in the Po Valley west of Novara, near the Sesia river. The village is best known for hosting an important historic abbey.

Abbey of San Nazzaro e Celso

The Abbey of San Nazzaro e Celso (Abbazia dei Santi Nazario e Celso) is a religious complex founded in 1040 in San Nazzaro Sesia. The site includes various Romanesque and Gothic buildings dating from the Late Middle Ages, and it is surrounded by some fortifications. A series of ancient frescoes adorn various areas of the church and the cloister.

Galliate

Galliate is a town located just east of Novara. Founded in the Middle Ages, it was contested between local powers for centuries and then ruled by Milan until it was taken by the House of Savoy. Galliate is now an industrial center but it still features some historic attractions.

Visconti-Sforza Castle of Galliate

The Visconti-Sforza Castle (Castello Visconteo-Sforzesco) is a medieval castle that dominates the center of Galliate. Originally built as a fort around the 10th century, it was later expanded by the Visconti, and completely reworked under the rule of the Sforza family in the 15th century. After being abandoned, the castle has now been restored, retaining many of its historic characteristics. The castle features various decorated halls, and now it hosts some museums and a library.

Bellinzago Novarese

Bellinzago Novarese is a town located just south of Oleggio in the Province of Novara. Two interesting religious sites are located in the countryside near the town.

Badia di Dulzago

Badia di Dulzago is a historic religious complex located near Bellinzago Novarese. Founded in the 12th century, the monastic complex over time turned into a farm and an autonomus agrarian community. The Church of San Giulio, the main church of Badia di Dulzago, hosts rich Baroque decorations.

Church of San Vito

The Church of San Vito is a Romanesque church erected in the 12th century south of Bellinzago Novarese. While its facade is very modest, the interiors of the church host a large series of ancient frescoes dating between the 15th and 16th century.

Oleggio

Oleggio is a town in the Province of Novara, located just north of Bellinzago Novarese. Since the Middle Ages it has been a flourishing agrarian center thanks to its position near the Ticino river.

Carlo Giacomo Fanchini Civic Archaeological Ethnographic Museum

The Carlo Giacomo Fanchini Civic Archaeological Ethnographic Museum (Museo Civico Archeologico Etnografico Carlo Giacomo Fanchini) is a museum of local history and culture in Oleggio. Its collection includes various archaeological findings and a rich ethnographic exhibition with numerous objects from the 19th and 20th century.

Basilica of San Michele

The Basilica of San Michele is a Romanesque church located just outside Oleggio. Erected around the 10th century, it features an underground crypt and an important series of ancient frescoes from the Late Middle Ages.