Visit Cameriano, Tourism and travel tips

Novara in half day

Novara, Basilica of San Gaudenzio

For those who come to Novara from the surrounding countryside, the city, a shopping center as well as a village rich in history and traditions, is immediately recognizable by the characteristic profile of the dome of S. Gaudenzio, visible from far away. Why venture into the streets of downtown Novara in half a day? Here are four good reasons:

1) To walk calmly through the cobbled streets of the historic center immersed in a atmosphere that recalls that of medieval villages; in fact the buildings in the center of Novara, built on a Roman plant with perpendicular streets, are largely medieval, albeit with neoclassical or modern additions; do not miss the Broletto courtyard, with the Palazzo del Podestà, the Palazzetto dei Paratici and the City Council Palace

2) To admire the spectacular view of the dome of the basilica of S. Gaudenzio, 121 meters high, reminiscent of that of the Mole Antonelliana of Turin; architect is in fact the same, Alessandro Antonelli;

3) To discover the bright beauty of the grandiose neoclassical cathedral , also built by Antonelli in the mid-nineteenth century, and compare it with the most collected one of his baptistery of early Christian origin, the most ancient city building;

4) To take a tour along the bulwarks, the large tree-lined avenues that at the beginning of the twentieth century have taken the place of the fortified walls of the city, of which only a short stretch remains near the Albertina Barrier, the neoclassical door that opened on the road leading to Milan; and at the end of the tour stop in the great gardens of the Allea, which close the Piazza Martiri della Libertà, the largest in Novara, with the equestrian statue of Vittorio Emanuele II at the center and closed on the sides by the Visconteo-Sforzesco castle and the Coccia theater.

scritto da David Perkins - ultima modifica il 31/10/2021

Novara — the city in the countryside a stone's throw from Milan

Novara, the Broleto courtyard

If you visit Milan, you also think about passing from Novara, which is just 30 min by train from the Lombard capital. I would call Novara a small big city. It is the rather big city (out of curiosity I visited the page of Piedmont according to which Novara has almost 100,000 inhabitants), but at At the same time it is a very quiet and liveable city.

It is very pleasant to walk around its center where I always take my first steps. I love observing the details of the arcades of the nineteenth-century buildings, wandering around the delightful squares and alleys covered with cobblestone. I like to look at the shop windows that alternate with the ice cream shops and pastry shops that display the boxes with the biscuits of Novara.

My compulsory stop is the Basilica of San Gaudenzio with its characteristic dome pointing into the sky. The dome dominates the city and is clearly visible from many kilometers, especially when it is illuminated. When I return by train from Milan and I see it from afar, I already feel at home.

I really like the Broletto, the ancient seat of the Palazzo del Comune consisting of four buildings around a courtyard. It seems that from one moment to the next people of ladies and knights, even if I don't know what time, because the Palaces of Broleto come from different eras. In its courtyard is the well where in the fourteenth century the Novara threw various documents thinking of getting rid of taxes. Clever guys!

Another mandatory stop is Piazza delle Erbe surrounded by the columns of the suggestive arcades. Except it's really hard not to go through it when you're downtown. I like the fact that it's officially called Piazza del Cesare Battisti, but everyone continues to call it Piazza delle Erbe. Not far from the Piazza (to tell the truth all the interesting places are close) is Corso Cavour, one of the arteries of Novara overlooking elegant shops, some eighteenth-century palaces and the church of Monserrato.

scritto da Patricia Carter - ultima modifica il 31/10/2021

Excursions to Vercelli, rice fields, countryside, parks and spectacular natural screenplays

Vercelli, rice fields and Monte Rosa

Vercelli is the sixth city of Piedmont and the capital of Italian rice. The expanses of the rice fields that surround it resemble a huge gingham sea. Located at the center of a fertile, green plain rice is the most important agricultural market for which it is of particular importance at European level, and is crossed by & lt; strong>Sesia river that descends from the alpine ridge of Monte Rosa.

This particular environment, in which the light of the sky is reflected by creating plays of light, is populated with marsh birds such as herons and egretts. But the idyllic vision also has its price to pay. In addition to rice there are millions, if not billions, of mosquitoes live in Vercelli and therefore if you come here in the summer, provide yourself with a good mosquito repellent.

Immersed in autumn mists, this Piedmontese city welcomes you, surrounded by green rice fields. This cereal finds here the ideal soil for its growth and around Vercelli are concentrated a large number of companies that deal with the cultivation, processing and marketing of the rice. The extended fields have their own special charm, you have to put the car down and go on a bike or walk to fully enjoy its beauty and smells. In these perennially submerged lands, one gets lost thinking of being in the East instead of in Northern Italy.

Vercelli, among its rice fields, offers its visitors not only an artistic heritage rich in museums, churches and monuments, but also a fascinating nature made of parks, rivers and reserves that make it unique in its kind. The natural park of the Lame del Sesia covers a total of about 900 hectares, on a territory continuously modified by the flow of the water of the river: with the passing of the seasons, meanders, gravels, woods, ponds (the so-called 'blades') are created and disappear and are an ideal destination for birdwatchers.

scritto da Sheila Pickles - ultima modifica il 31/10/2021

Carpignano Sesia, Novara — discovering the Ricetto Castle

Ricetto Castle

As usual, I discovered the charm of this small town by pure chance. I was coming back with my best half from Novara and for the umpteenth time we were crossing Carpignano without stopping. But this time I couldn't resist and, and since we had time, I asked for a short stop. Of course, my instincts didn't disappoint me, because it was really worth it.

Carpignano is not a city of art and its historic center is tiny. Parked the car under the canopy (it is also historic because it dates back to the beginning of the last century) we went into the historic center consisting of a small street main and some side alleys. The main street, still covered in pebbles and surrounded by the typical brick and stone houses of Sesia, led us to the Castello — Ricetto, whose core dates back to XI century. And be careful, don't expect a castle with towers and battlements.

To me, who I'm inexperienced, it seemed rather like a typical Italian farmhouse with a nice courtyard surrounded by buildings, dwellings and buildings where cattle were kept and and agricultural products. On one of the side alleys of the ricetto, Vicolo San Martino, overlook the fifteenth-century houses. In another building, a splendid press from 1575 is preserved. It is the oldest specimen of press preserved in Piedmont. I don't know how you are, but I'm always impressed when I see things so ancient. As a result, I also liked the barrels kept in the adjacent room: they were only large, but also old. In this building, the construction of the Museum of Peasant Civilization is planned in the future. Also within the framework of the castle is the church of San Pietro dating back to the 11th century. Unfortunately, we couldn't find the right key to open it and therefore we didn't enter.

And speaking of the keys: generally both the church and the press are open during patronal feasts and other special occasions. But we met a boy who brought us the keys, normally kept by ProLoco or in common, and did a bit of a guide. Always thanks to him we knew about the party that had to start in the evening (in fact we noticed the preparations: the boys who carried or placed the tables on the streets). This is the festival entitled “To the court of the salam d'la duja” dedicated, in fact, to this Piedmontese specialty.

It is the salami made with pork meat and bacon fat that are ground, seasoned and stuffed into the twisted gut of beef. After ripening, they are placed in a bowl called duja and covered with melted lard that keeps them soft for more than a year.And this goodness is the protagonist of three days during which you eat, drink, dance and have fun. We clearly eat not only the duja salami, but also other typical dishes and local products. When we were there, the menu included various cold cuts, paniscia, roast meat, dessert and coffee.

Not to forget the best wines in the area and there are lots of them, believe me. The dinner was accompanied by live music and everything took place in the medieval setting of the streets of Castello Ricetto. Of course it all depends on the weather and that time it wasn't really the best, but we still had a very pleasant evening. However, the festival is not limited only to the gastronomic side: on Sunday the market also takes place and you can also learn about the ancient crafts. I assure you that these days it is worth coming to Carpignano Sesia

scritto da Ralph Christie - ultima modifica il 31/10/2021

Visit Cameriano - Tourism and travel tips for your vacation or weekend.

Travel guides and videos

Novara (8,5Km)Novara in half day

Novara (8,5Km)Novara — the city in the countryside a stone's throw from Milan

Novara (8,5Km)In Novara to step on the triangular lucky granite stone

Vercelli (12,7Km)Excursions to Vercelli, rice fields, countryside, parks and spectacular natural screenplays

Vercelli (12,7Km)Vercelli the city of water lands

Carpignano Sesia (18Km)Carpignano Sesia, Novara — discovering the Ricetto Castle

Are you looking for other ideas for sleeping in Cameriano?

OUR GUIDES

OTHER LANGUAGES

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

NEWSLETTER