Abbonamento Musei, in collaboration with Piemonturismo, is organizing a series of visits included in the "Antonelliana Network. The Culture that Unites" program, dedicated to Alessandro Antonelli, exploring dedicated and lesser-known itineraries.
On June 13th, we'll delve deeper into Novara with a tour dedicated to the architect, including the extraordinary Dome of San Gaudenzio and, exceptionally, the opening of the State Archives.
Reservations:
- Online
- at our offices at CORSO SVIZZERA 185 BUILDING 5 SCALA B 1ST FLOOR 10149 TURIN, Monday to Friday (10:30 am - 12:00 pm and 2:30 pm - 5:00 pm) with cash payment (please provide the exact amount; we cannot provide change as the office is usually closed to the public).
- By bank transfer, please contact booking@piemonturismo.it for bank details, including your name, surname, tax code, address, and telephone number.
The route is partially accessible for those with mobility difficulties (the day involves walking). No animals are allowed, except for companion animals. Name changes are possible up to 3 days in advance. The activities will continue even in the event of inclement weather; furthermore, the organizers reserve the right to reschedule and rearrange the program according to organizational needs.
Important Notes: If the minimum number of participants (30) is not reached, the fees paid will be fully refunded or converted into vouchers.
Meeting point: 8:30 AM, Corso San Martino, corner of Piazza XVIII Dicembre
End of the tour and return to Turin around 6:30 PM.
Included: Transportation, tour leader, guides, assistance and baggage insurance, radio guides FOR SUBSCRIBERS: Entrance to the Dome of San Gaudenzio
Not included: Anything not mentioned in the inclusions FOR NON-SUBSCRIBERS: €10 entrance to the Dome of San Gaudenzio
Departure from Turin at 8:30 AM, destination Novara. Visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria and then climb the Dome of San Gaudenzio. The Dome of San Gaudenzio is one of Alessandro Antonelli's most iconic works, the ultimate expression of his quest for verticality and his ability to combine structural ambition and geometric purity. Designed in several phases between 1841 and 1860, the dome rises on a system of eight load-bearing arches, developing in an ascending sequence of volumes that leads to the terminal spire, crowned by the statue of the Savior. The structure, made entirely of brick, is an emblematic example of 19th-century engineering: light in design, solid in execution, capable of reaching a remarkable height with minimal use of materials, in keeping with the architect's principle of construction efficiency. The dome fits within the neoclassical language of the century, but stands out for its vertical tension, making it unique in the Italian architectural landscape. Completed in 1888, the year of Antonelli's death, it remains his boldest legacy: an iconic construction.
Free time for lunch (approximately one hour)
Afternoon: guided tour of some iconic buildings: Palazzo Avogadro (Chamber of Commerce), Casa Bossi, and Casa Giovanetti. Exceptionally, we will be able to visit the State Archives, led by an in-house Ministry guide. While not an architectural work by Alessandro Antonelli, the State Archives of Novara play a fundamental role in the preservation and promotion of his work. The facility houses a vast collection of drawings, plans, and original documents, documenting the genesis and development of the architect's major works. The Archives are distinguished not only by the importance of the materials preserved, but also by their willingness to make them accessible to the public and scholars. Thanks to a program of special openings and guided tours, the public will have the opportunity to closely observe unique documents and deepen their understanding of Antonelli's design method and career. Thanks to this custodial and valorization function, the State Archives of Novara become an important reference point for the Antonellian valorization project: a place where the architect's memory unites with conservation practice, providing access to materials that demonstrate the precision, technical daring, and innovative vision that characterized the master's work.