Abbeys and churches
Duomo di Novara
Category: Abbeys and churches
A grandiose Neo-Classic structure built between 1863 and 1869 by Alessandro Antonelli who, according to the custom of the time, knocked down an ancient Romanesque cathedral, which was in a ramshackle state, in order to build the new one. But, Antonelli did not just have the responsibility of redoing the structure, he had to retranslate the placement of the buildings within the city’s urban setting, this is the reason the architect created the colonnade facing the piazza and harmoniously arranged the area that is surrounded by porticos on four sides. The Duomo has a main entrance under the pronoa with vertically fluted columns topped by Corinthian capitals. Inside, the cathedral is divided into three naves separated by marbleized stuccowork columns with Corinthian capitals. The central nave is covered by a barrel vault supported by a cornice decorated with the portraits of important religious figures. The minor naves, instead, have canopy coverings in each bay. Antonelli’s work ended with the construction of the apse.
In the back, a triumphal arch stands out, adorned with winged victories; in the center is a circular illustrated glass window which depicts the Assumption. The richness of the interior decorations contrasts with the cathedral’s exterior. It should be emphasized that not all of the elements in the interior date back to the same period. Several altars, chapels, statues, furnishings, and paintings which have found a spot inside Antonelli’s building came from the old Romanesque Duomo. One example would be the wooden crucifix from the 14th century on the wall of the right hand nave. Among the Duomo’s elements of artistic value is the altar which Antonelli had built. Constructed on a high base, the altar top is in bronze as are the various bas-reliefs, among them the putti by Thorwaldsen, a Danish sculptor and major exponent of Roman Neo-Classicism. In the middle section is a little temple with eight Corinthian columns in the green marble of Varallo. In the upper section is an allegorical statue of Religion flanked by Moses on one side and Saint Peter on the other. This form of altar was copied in many other churches in the Novara area. Finally, a fragment of medieval mosaic pavement which dates back to the 11th and 12th century, and which has been inserted into the flooring of presbytery, should be noted.
Information
Piazza della Repubblica - 28100 Novara
Tel. +39.0321.3701
www.comune.novara.it
