The bastion of the art to be enjoyed: a tour of Novara. Piedmont region, Italy

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A city that bears his name in the concept of novelty, and that has always attracted great people and artists, some of whom became important thanks to their work accomplished in this place, we have chosen to spend a relaxing day of culture , art and good food in Novara, also drawing inspiration from the idea that his arrival in this city could somehow be a good omen, and also bring some welcome change in our lives.
A trip to Novara, where we start from the North, it is also surprising because the city is close to everything in Milan, Malpensa Airport, Lake Maggiore.
One of the best stories about a character arrived here long before us is the patron saint, San Gaudenzio: born in 327 in Ivrea, a pagan family, he became the first bishop of Novara, where for centuries it recalls the magnificent Basilica of San Gaudenzio . Gaudenzio had begun to move closer to Christianity even in his hometown, and his spiritual journey was completed first in Vercelli, next to Eusebius, the first Bishop of Piedmont, and later in Novara, where he performed a great task as a preacher at a time which the area was still largely pagan, and even within the Church there were bitter religious conflicts. Just after the latter, Eusebio Constantius II sent into exile in Palestine, and then in Egypt. Gaudenzio joined him in those distant lands, but Eusebio told him to go back to Novara, where the priest Lorenzo was just assassinated, and there was need of a good religious like him. Gaudenz became sacrdote in Novara, supported by a valued friend, the future St. Ambrose of Milan.
There has been enough to stop the first stop on our tour of Novara, the Basilica, in fact, to realize that every corner here may reveal a novel. Starting by the high dome that draws the skyline of the city itself is the work of Alessandro Antonelli, who designed the famous Mole in Turin. But while the work of the Mole was completed in 1897, nine years after the death of the great architect, the dome of the Basilica of San Gaudenzio was completed in 1887, when the artist was still alive. The bell tower is an important masterpiece, designed by none other than Benedetto Alfieri, Vittorio Alfieri's uncle, a famous eighteenth century poet and playwright.
As we walk the ramparts, or the beautiful tree-lined avenues that today remember the location of the ancient Roman walls, demolished in the early twentieth century to allow for urban expansion, we also remember the rich musical tradition of Novara, who gave birth between the other the conductor Guido Cantelli, favorite pupil of Arturo Toscanini, who died prematurely in an accident. Today, his musical legacy is carried on even a festival dedicated to him, cared for by the Friends of Music Cocito, the same one that organizes the charming Cusiano Early Music Festival at Lake Orta about 40 km from Novara.
Before coming to the table, even with a moderate hunger, after so much wandering, we are yet to visit the Arengo Broletto, the ancient center of political life in Novara: an architectural complex consists of four historic buildings arranged in quadrilateral, including the city hall, dating from the twelfth century.
Stay in the center for dinner and we choose a restaurant by the name of Novara, but also offers many Tuscan specialties: the Bistrot Nuares, Corso Cavallotti. Run by a very kind young couple, Gabriel and Francesca, this restaurant is located in a beautiful Baroque palace, which was located in the first headquarters of the Banca Popolare di Novara. As appetizers we take a pie with vegetables Castelmagno fondue, and cured ham, Tuscan DOP cut with a knife. Our friends are opting instead for fresh seafood, which can be found here every Friday and Saturday, and they choose a soup with bread Abbruscato squid, in addition to the cake of salt cod, potatoes and robiola. We follow these first by gnocchi with black truffle fresh, while others in the group are divided between the risotto with gorgonzola and pears, pistachio powder, and fresh pasta noodles with seafood. Standing in a room even in Tuscany, we could not give up a beautiful Florentine Chianina, but were equally happy with our friends who chose the fillet in a crust of pistachios and salt cod with chickpeas and bath Piedmont. We accompanied our meal with wines that echo the stunning scenery of the Tuscan hills, but also those of Monferrato, and for us not miss anything, we closed with the eggnog with biscotti di Novara and the nooks and vin santo.
What more could a day out? Just a repeat soon!

Frances Bertha

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

www.comune.Novara.it
Bistros Nuares
Piedmontese and Tuscan cuisine
Corso Felice Cavallotti, 9 / E Novara
0321/30285