Basilica di San Gaudenzio

About

Basilica di San Gaudenzio, perched on the highest point of Novara, is a striking Roman Catholic church that marries Baroque grandeur with historical Romanesque roots. Constructed between 1577 and 1877, the basilica towers 121 metres and is crowned by an imposing 75‑metre cupola, a signature of Piedmont’s architectural innovation. Visitors are welcomed into a spacious atrium, the soaring campanile, and a richly decorated interior that houses the reliquary of Saint Gaudentius, the basilica’s patron. The sanctuary also preserves three chapels from the earlier San Vincenzo Martire, offering a tangible link to the city’s medieval past. Open to the public without a fee, it serves as both a spiritual haven and a cultural landmark, inviting pilgrims, architecture lovers, and tourists alike to explore its storied halls and breathtaking vistas.