Hotels Novara, Guesthouses Novara and Residences Novara

Novara, a provincial capital of Piedmont and the second most densely populated city of the region, is situated just across the border with Lombardy, only 49 kilometres from Milan, and stands out as an important crossroads for commercial traffic in Northern Italy. Its plain territory, which is crossed by two streams and several minor waterways, is widely occupied by rice-growing areas, which mark the watershed between the countryside and the residential area.
Novara's old town rises on the top of a gentle hill, in an outstanding panoramic position overlooking the surrounding landscape. The town layout still retains its original Roman plan featuring perpendicular roads, while the major buildings and monuments of the old town date back to the extensive urban interventions of 1840 and are realized in a  Neoclassical style.

The paved streets and small squares of the old town are scattered with plenty of 3-star guesthouses and 4-star hotels, which make the ideal base for discovering the city's beautiful centre. Those looking for short stays at reasonable prices can stay at intimate bed and breakfasts and comfortable budget hotels.

Those staying at hotels situated near the city centre can start their tour from the tree-lined avenues which surround the city, the so-called baluardi. They develop where the ancient medieval walls which surrounded the city up to the early '900 were situated. Impressive remains of these ancient city walls can be still admired along Corso Cavour and Corso Italia. The city is dominated by the dome and bell tower of the Basilica of St. Gaudenzio, a sumptuous building which was realized between ‘500 and ‘600 under the supervision of architect Pellegrino Tibaldi. Inside, the church contains a fine collection of Renaissance and Baroque paintings by local artists and the rich Baroque chapel cherishing St. Gaudenzio's mortal remains.
Walking down Corso Italia, visitors will have the opportunity to reach the so-called Broletto, a beautiful courtyard surrounded by four medieval buildings which once were the heart of the city's political life. Palazzo del Comune and Palazzo dei Paratici date back to the XII century, while Palazzo del Podestà and Palazzo dei Referendari were erected two centuries later. Broletto is now the seat of Novara's Civic Museums, which comprise an archaeological section, fine collections of weapons and artworks realized by local artists between ‘300 and ‘700, and an important picture gallery of modern art.
A few streets away stands Novara's Duomo, a sumptuous building which was realized in 1869 under the supervision of architect Antonelli. Erected over a pre-existing Romanesque church,  it still retains peculiar patterns dating back to that age, such as the lower part of the bell tower, impressive remains of the mosaic floor, the frescoed chapel of St. Siro and parts of the cloister. The huge central doorway of the facade also leads to the Baptistry, an octogonal building dating back to the V century  which is painted with medieval frescoed scenes dating back to the X century. A short distance from the Duomo is Piazza Martiri della Libertà, which is flanked by the nineteenth-century Palazzo del Mercato and Coccia Theatre and dominated by the ruins of the ancient Visconteo-Sforzesco Castle. At the foot of the castle is Allea, a lush garden which is often crowded with local inhabitants. Another traditional gathering place is the triangular Piazza Cesare Battisti, also known as Piazza delle Erbe; a triangle-shaped paving tile indicates the exact centre of Novara's old town.