The plan for the Basilica of Novara was placed in the hands of the architect Pellegrino Pellegrini, known as Il Tibaldi. The work was begun in 1577 and completed in 1659.
Inside the basilica, in a precious scurolo (raised crypt) by Francesco Castelli, is an urn containing the remains of San Gaudenzio, the first bishop of the city and its patron saint. The chapel of the Nativity contains a famous Polyptych by Gaudenzio Ferrari (c1516). The basilica also contains important paintings by Bernardino Lanino
(16th century). Moncalvo Morazzone, Giovanni Mauro della Rovere, Tanzio da Varello & Stefano Maria Lignani (17th century).
The bell-tower was built in the 18th century from designs by Benedetto Alfieri, while the dome, which stands 121 metres(apx397') high, is the architecturally and structurallydaring work of Alessandro Antonelli (1798-1888).
The statue of the Savior that has been standing on the top of the dome since 1878 is the work of Sculptor Pietro Zucchi.
The Cathedral & the Chapel San Siro
The Cathedral of Santa maria as it is seen today dates back to the second half of the 19th century, when it was built in Neo-classical style, from designs by Alessandro Antonelli. Durning this work, parts of the previous Romanesque cathedral were encompassed into the building, including a large fragment of the mosiac flooring from the presbytery. The central nave is adorned by a series of Flemish arrasses (c1565) that narrate episodes from the life of Solomon. Paintings include works by Bernadino Lanino and The Wedding of St. Catherine by Gaudenzia Ferrari (16th Century), while sculptures include a Crucified Christ (15th century). Beside the vestry in the Chapel of San Siro, which was built during the latter half of the 12th century as a private oratory for the bishop. Three walls of the room are painted with scenes that depict the life of San Siro and on the vault there is a Christ in Majesty, all of which date back to the second half of the 12th century (c1180). On the far wall of the chapel there is a Crucifixion that dates back to the early 14th century.
The Baptistery
This early Christian building, which syands in front of the Cathedral, dates back to the 5th century AD and it is the oldest monument in Novara. Rectangular and semicircular chapels are alternated inside the building, where it is possible to see frescoes showing scenes of the Apocalypse (11th century), which are among the most important pre-Romanesque works in Italy, a Last Judgement (15th century) and works of the school of Morazzone and by Pier Francesco Gianoli (16th & 17th Centuries).
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The baptistery was built in the IV or V century on an octagonal plan and with alternate square and round apses.
The vault is painted with episodes from the Apocalypse, according to a decorating scheme that is rather unusual in this kind of building.
These frescoes, dating back to the X century, are the work of the so called Master of the Apocalypse, an artist known to have been active at that time in Novara.
In th XV century, an otherwise unknown Master from Novara painted the fresco representing the day of Judgement, dominated by an image of Christ in a mandorla.
In the middle of the hall stand the remains of the paleo-christian marble well, while in the west apse still exist the cylindrical Roman altar (II century AD) dedicatd by freed slave Doxa to her mistress Umbrena Polla.
Broletto
The complex of medieval buildings, which can be accessed also from the porch of the piazza della Repubblica, is gathered around a bright courtyard enclosed in ' Brotetto ' fence the most important public buildings in the municipality. On the north side was identified the Palazzo del Comune: has a low arched porch holding the Hall for meetings of the Council and for the vote. On the South side, the Palazzo del Podestà has terracotta decorations on the Windows and coats of arms in relief. In the 15th century the two buildings were joined from the Palace of the legal secretaries, municipal offices, while the East side is home to the Palace of the Paratici, which dates back to the second half of the 13th century. In the Centre of the courtyard was the stone of auctioneer.
