Novara

The city of Novara, near Milan, is a lively, historic center that branches both history and modern trends. With a population of over 105,000 people, it’s the second largest city in the Piedmont area after Turin.

Map of Novara

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The city has a rich history. Being established by the Ligure people and settled by the Romans, Novara has been a city for thousands of years and, as such, has been run by various groups, including the Lombards, the viscounts of Milan, the Sforza family, the house of Savoy, and even Attila the Hun. For a time, Novara was part of France, after Napoleon’s invasion.

Novara, like many older cities in Italy, is divided into two parts. Its historic center lies within a region once enclosed by city walls, and the newer parts of the city spread out from there.

One of the main attractions to be found in Novara is the Basilica of San Gaudenzio. It’s impossible to miss, with its peaked dome sticking out of the skyline. Being 397 feet tall, the Basilica is decked with several levels and is attached to the cathedral which was built in a neoclassic style and rests on the site of an old temple to Jupiter. Right beside the Basilica of San Gaudenzio is the oldest building in all of Novara - the hexagonal baptistery, which was built in the 6th century.

If you continue to explore the city, the Cortile del Broletto is the next sight on your list. It is a beautiful courtyard placed between two palaces and serves as one of the main cultural hubs of the small city. Bordering the square and inside the two palaces are the city hall, the civic museum, the Gallery of Modern Art, and the Natural History Museum. Plus, if you venture just a few metres further, you will find the Piazza delle Erbe (also known as Piazza Cesare Battisti), which is the home of the city’s biggest vegetable market, featuring a range of local goods at fair prices. In the centre of the Piazza, if you’re eagle-eyed enough to find it, is one grey and white granite stone. It sticks out from the rest of the square, and is said to bring good luck if you touch it.

The palaces of Novara are also worth a visit. The Palazzo Natta-Isola, known as the seat of the province and the prefecture of Novara, is a large landmark of the city, featuring a beautiful clock tower. The other palace, Palazzo Carbino, is the official seat of the administrative offices of Novara, and is where a host of local activities take place.

Outside of the historic center, there are several notable buildings. One such of these is the Church of San Nazzaro della Costa. Attached to an abbey and restored in the 15th century by Bernadino of Siena, it stands in the memory of the soldiers that fell in the historic battle of 23rd March 1849, which was between the Piedmontese and Austrians. You can also visit the Churches of Santa Maria delle Grazie and San Pietro al Rosario.