Novara: Historical Layers, Museums and Regional Specialties

Novara lies between the Sesia and Ticino rivers and is surrounded by plains and rice fields. In the medieval old town, squares with old arcades meet cobbled streets. As a result, the city combines a distinctly historic townscape with museums, markets, music and regional food culture. If you are looking for a city with many different cultural themes for your trip to Italy, Novara offers numerous starting points for planning your days.

Architecture between the Middle Ages and Antonelli

One defining building is the Basilica di San Gaudenzio. It was rebuilt between 1557 and 1590 within Novara's city walls. The basilica houses the mortal remains of the patron saint in an urn made of silver and crystal. Particularly striking is the 121-metre-high dome: it is built entirely of masonry and was constructed between 1840 and 1888 by Alessandro Antonelli.

The Duomo di Novara also reveals several historical layers. The cathedral was built in the Neoclassical style based on a design by Antonelli; parts of the previous Romanesque building were incorporated. The central portal is 19 metres high. The Complesso del Duomo di Novara also includes the baptistery, the Bishop's Palace and the Canonica cloister. The Battistero del Duomo di Novara is considered the city's oldest Christian monument, with its first structural core dating from the 5th century. Inside, it has a fresco cycle from the Ottonian period depicting the Apocalypse.

The Complesso Monumentale del Broletto comprises four historic palaces with different architectural styles. The Broletto is also home to the Galleria d'arte moderna Paolo e Adele Giannoni, with a collection of almost 1,000 works of art. Roman remains are visible on the west side of the courtyard at Castello Visconteo Sforzesco. The Fondazione Castello di Novara manages cultural activities held in the monumental complex. From 1859 onwards, Casa Bossi was converted from an existing Baroque building under the direction of the architect Alessandro Antonelli. Access is exclusively possible as part of tours booked in advance.

Museums for different interests

The Musei della Canonica del Duomo di Novara take visitors through 13 rooms with artefacts and documents dating from the 6th century BC to the 19th century AD. At weekends, you can visit these museums free of charge; during the week, visits are possible by prior reservation. The Museo Lapidario began in 1813, when the canon Carlo Francesco Frasconi started collecting inscriptions from Novara and its surrounding area.

The Museo Storico Novarese Aldo Rossini focuses on memorabilia from the army, navy and air force, commemorating those who fell in all wars. The museum's armoury includes edged and firearms dating from the time of the Battle of Novara to the Second World War. The Museo del Giocattolo, by contrast, combines lace, embroidery and 19th-century clothing with ceramics, professional and craft equipment, household tools and a significant collection of historic toys.

The Museo di Storia Naturale Faraggiana Ferrandi displays native and exotic animal species. These include collections brought by Alessandro Faraggiana from Africa and other parts of the world. The tour is designed to be multisensory and includes tactile maps, scent boxes and a video station accessible in LIS as well. This gives the museum its own distinctive focus within Novara's cultural offerings.

Green spaces, music and local products

Behind and to the left of Castello Visconteo Sforzesco, the Allea and Parco dei Bambini cover 42,200 square metres. The Parco dei Bambini includes 20,000 square metres of enclosed play areas connected by tree-lined paths. This creates a distinct space for families beside the historic buildings, while the old town, with its arcades and cobbled streets, offers a different pace for sightseeing.

Music is also part of the cityscape. NovaraJazz stages a season of jazz concerts and performances in Novara to explore the region. The Teatro Coccia foundation coordinates, develops, promotes and manages artistic and cultural activities, particularly in the fields of music and theatre. The Via del Mare reaches Novara through the hilly and flat municipalities of Medio Novarese, complementing the different landscapes around the city.

To sample the region's flavours, it is worth visiting the Mercato Coperto di Novara. The fruit and vegetable stalls offer seasonal produce, local specialties, products from the region with short transport routes and organic goods. In the dairy and cheese section, you will find fresh, soft, hard and semi-hard cheeses, among other products, as well as mozzarella made from Piedmontese cow's and goat's milk. The Novara area is also considered the home of Gorgonzola, a DOP-protected cheese. Camporelli has been producing Biscottini di Novara using traditional methods since 1852.

Discover places in the wider surrounding area

Arona, Castelletto Sopra Ticino, Dormelletto, Lesa, Meina, Silvera, Miasino, Orta San Giulio, Armeno, Pettenasco, San Maurizio D'opaglio, Bogogno, Agrate Conturbia, Varallo Pombia, Oleggio, Novara, Invorio Inferiore, Gozzano, Ameno, Massino Visconti, Oleggio Castello, Cameriano, Alzo, Vacciago, Sillavengo, Nebbiuno, Pombia, Colazza, Pella, Borgomanero, Cureggio, Recetto, Gattico, Caltignaga, Lumellogno, Trecate, Suno, Paruzzaro, Casalino, Cavaglio D'agogna, Vaprio D'agogna, Tornaco, Auzate, Soriso, Bellinzago Novarese, Vicolungo, Ghemme, Fara Novarese, Sizzano, Mezzomerico, Borgolavezzaro, Cameri, Galliate, Veruno, Bolzano Novarese, Grignasco, Case Sparse, Borgo Ticino, Gargallo, Lagna, Fontaneto D'agogna, Maggiora, Baraggia, Comignago, Cavallirio, Casaleggio Novara, Marano Ticino, Divignano, Barengo

To the higher-level travel overview: Piedmont.