Novara is a delightful city in the heart of the Piedmont region of northwest Italy.
This city has a population of 105,000 and is the capital of the Novara Province. Situated between the important cities of Turin and Milan, Novara has a great strategic location and serves as a hub for commercial traffic between the two major economic powers. This city was originally settled in Roman times and was built close to one of the main Roman roads running from Vercelli to Milan. In subsequent eras, Novara became part of the Lombard League, the Habsburg Empire, and eventually part of the unified Kingdom of Italy. As a tourist destination, Novara benefits from close connections to both Milan and Turin and you can easily reach these cities on the busy A4 road.
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1. Basilica di San Gaudenzio
This cathedral is undoubtedly the centerpiece of the city and can be seen from virtually anywhere due to its immense central cupola and basilica standing at 121m high. The central dome towers above the surrounding structures and is a masterpiece of 19th-century architecture – it features several different tiers and has a series of ornate columns.
Inside the church is just as opulent and decorative and features a series of chapels covered in colorful frescos. For example, the Chapel of Faith has a central Renaissance painting and the surrounding walls, arches and ceilings are covered with some beautiful works of art. As the premier religious building in Novara, this basilica really will leave an impression.
2. Museo di Storia Naturale Faraggiana Ferrandi
This delightful museum has the benefit of free entry and is also in a central location – right next to the Duomo di Novara.
For those who appreciate the natural world and wildlife, the museum has a brilliant display of taxidermy animals such as reindeer, badgers, kingfishers, lions, tigers and even a polar bear.
Each display is well presented and has a wealth of information relating to the habitat and lifecycle of the animal. This is a wonderful place to take your children – they will love the animals and they will also find the museum hugely educational.
3. Teatro Coccia
The Coccia theatre is one of the most important theatrical structures in the Piedmont region and is located in the Giacomo Puccini square next to the Parco dei Bambini. Constructed in the 19th century, the theatre has a grand façade and exterior and features a series of white columns combined with cream wall sections.
The inside is magnificent, especially when lit up before a show – 4 levels of private boxes surround the stage in a semi-circular pattern and each row is lit up with golden lamps. The domed ceiling has a golden pattern and an immense crystal chandelier in the center.
If you get a chance to see an opera here, don't miss the chance - it's definitely an unforgettable experience.
4. Novara Cathedral
Whilst the Basilica di San Gaudenzio is often considered to be the main religious structure in Novara, the Duomo di Novara is just as important and features a Neoclassical design.
Located in the heart of the historic town center next to the Teatro Coccia, the front façade of this church looks more like a Roman temple – several stone columns support a triangular pediment, and this columned design continues down the side of the Piazza della Republica.
Inside the church, the ceiling is supported by several rows of dark columns and the central altar has a huge golden cross and some beautiful artwork.
5. Broletto
The Broletto is a complex of historic buildings in the center of Novaro that are located only a short distance from the Duomo and Teatro Coccia. Because this complex has been in development for hundreds of years, it has four distinct architectural styles and is a truly interesting piece of history.
From the inner courtyard, you can see the different styles and the Palace of the Paratici is undoubtedly the most beautiful with a dual-layer of delicate arches. Aside from the beautiful architecture, the Broletto also features a modern art gallery that has a collection of over 800 different pieces of post-19th-century Italian art.
6. The Novara pyramid
This bizarre structure is well-known in Novara and it is actually called the Ossuary of Bicocca. Located on the Via Marzo 1849 in the southern part of Novara, this stone pyramid was built to hold the ashes of fallen soldiers from the notorious Battle of Novara in the 19th century.
Surrounded by a pleasant garden, the monument looks quite out of place compared to the relative urban area it is located. Above the doorway, there is a large bronze bird guarding the entrance and a white cross above this to signify its funerary purpose.
Although you can’t enter the pyramid, it is still an interesting site and a piece of the history of Novara.
7. Visit the historic old town of Vercelli
Another fantastic destination in close proximity to Novara is the charming town of Vercelli – this town is just a 30-minute drive to the southwest of Novara and trains run between the two destinations every 8 minutes.
Vercelli is known as one of the oldest urban settlements in Northern Italy and has a range of fantastic historical structures and sites. Notable attractions include the beautiful Vercelli Church, the magnificent Saint Andrew Basilica and Vercelli Basilica.
Moreover, Vercelli has some great architectures like Torre dell HayAngelo and Teatro Civico. If you are looking for a cultural day trip, head on over to Vercelli!
8. Parco Naturale delle Lame del Sesia
If you want to explore the Italian countryside, Parco delle lame del Sesia is a great place to visit and is just a 15-minute drive west of Novara. This protected area is located on the banks of the River Sesia and covers a long stretch of the waterway running alongside the SP594 road.
You can explore this piece of countryside using the various footpaths that wind adjacent to the river, or by simply heading off track and exploring the forests and pastures. You could also consider hiring a bicycle from Albano which Is a small town on the western side of the reserve.
This is also a great spot for wildlife and you can see some interesting bird species including Cormorants, Gulls and the Horned Goose.
9. Parco dei Bambini
Parco dei Bambini is a great place to relax, immerse yourself in the sun and take a break for sightseeing. This public park can be found in the southwestern part of the historic town center next to the Teatro Coccia.
In the center of the park, there is a charming water feature that has an ornate stone bridge – this centerpiece is a great place for photos. Additionally, the park is full of beautiful trees and well-maintained footpaths.
Moreover, there are a number of statues and historical sites, plus other luxurious water features that give the park some personality and class.
10. Take a day trip to Milan
Novara is only 50km to the west of Milan and has great access to this bustling city. There are regular trains that run from the center of Novara into central Milan every 30 minutes. Milan is a great tourist destination and has several world-class locations such as the beautiful Gothic Duomo, Galleria del Vittorio Emmanuelle, and Sforza Castle.
Moreover, Milan is simply great for those who love shopping and browsing upscale designer boutiques like Gucci, Prada and Luis Vuitton. If you have a good understanding of Novara, why not go to Milan and see what it has to offer?
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