Discover Auzate: Sacred History, Palazzi and Trails along the Grua Stream

Auzate between Sacred History and Palazzi

Auzate combines sacred art, historic palazzi and a range of route connections to create a destination with several points of interest. The Chiesa di San Biagio, Palazzo Toni Marietti, Palazzo Vittadini and the trails to the Grua Stream will appeal to you if you would like to discover Italian history not only through major sights, but also through individual buildings, details and connections with the landscape.

The Chiesa di San Biagio and Medieval Art

The Chiesa di San Biagio in Auzate can be traced back to 1568. It already appears in the visitation records of Cardinal Serbelloni from that year. Following renovation work in the first half of the 17th century, the church was consecrated by Bishop Odescalchi in 1662.

Inside, the bones of several martyrs are kept in a pyramid-shaped arrangement, topped by a skull. Floral elements made of fabric and paper decorate this unusual arrangement. At the corner of Via della Chiesa and Vicolo del pellegrino, a mural also depicts the enthroned Madonna and Child between Saint Catherine of Alexandria and Saint Anthony the Great. The painting dates from the late 14th century.

Palazzi, Gardens and Private Façades

The architectural history of Palazzo Toni Marietti dates back to the 16th and 17th centuries. The Toni family began construction at that time and expanded the palazzo in several building phases. The estate includes a garden laid out in the 18th century, originally designed in the Italian style. The garden contains four beds bordered by stone edging, potted citrus plants, a fountain and statues. Palazzo Toni Marietti remains a private residence.

Palazzo Vittadini was a historic residence and belonged to the heirs of Stefano Toni. Interior frescoes, stucco decorations and a layout associated with aristocratic life in the 18th and 19th centuries characterize the building. There is also an inner courtyard garden designed according to the principles of an Italian garden. The Casa Privata di Auzate can be viewed from outside at any time on the façade of a private house, providing another specific point of reference for architectural orientation on site.

Routes between Gozzano, Auzate and the Grua Valley

The trails around Auzate also offer different points of interest. From Gozzano, Sentiero Novara, Stage 16, reaches Auzate via Fontana Santa on a paved road; from there, an unpaved road leads into the valley of the Grua Stream. The MTB route “Colline del basso Cusio” follows the signs to Auzate, climbs uphill to the parish church and then descends along a trail to the Grua Stream.

Auzate therefore remains accessible both to those interested in cultural history and to travelers planning an individually tailored trip to Italy.

Further Places for Trip Planning

Further places for trip planning: Recetto, Vacciago, Vaprio D'agogna, Borgo Ticino, Alzo, Novara, Meina, Nebbiuno

To the overarching travel overview: Novara.