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Cavour Square

Vercelli is a lovely city center of modest size but with a unique charm: worth seeing are the central Piazza Cavour, the porticoes, the Basilica of Sant’Andrea with the 10th century “Vercelli Book”, the metropolitan cathedral of Sant’Eusebio and the “Arca” exhibition center near the church of San Marco.

The cathedral of Sant’Eusebio, patron saint of Vercelli and Piedmont, boasts ancient origins, but its current appearance is the result of numerous restorations. In Roman times, there was a necropolis here where San Teonesto, the first Christian martyr of Vercelli, a victim of Diocletian's persecutions, was buried. Next to him, Sant’Eusebio was laid to rest in his honor. Tradition has it that the basilica was founded by Emperor Theodosius I, but the barbarian invasions caused serious damage, requiring subsequent reconstruction work. Thanks to its position on the Via Francigena, the cathedral has become a fundamental stop for pilgrims over the centuries, a testimony made evident by the precious relics preserved inside, including those of Thomas Beckett.

Vercelli square seen from under the portico

Square seen from the portico

Magnificent outing in the rice fields of the Po 😊

The Collegiata di Sant’Agata in Santhià, a comune in the province of Vercelli, Piedmont, Italy, is an impressive church located in the central Piazza Roma, not far from the town hall. Although the original Romanesque building from the 12th century has now disappeared, there are still remains of the northern exterior, the semicircular apse and the stone bell tower. The present church, designed by architect Giuseppe Talucchi, was built between 1836 and 1839 in Neoclassical style. The facade is characterized by a large pronao, supported by six columns, with vaults painted by the artist Luigi Hartmann. Inside is a valuable polittico by Gerolamo Giovenone.

This beautiful church was built in 1220, during a prosperous period. The style is a combination of Northern Gothic (vertical towers and octagonal bell tower) and the typical style from the Po Valley (triangular gable, arches and use of brick). The facade, a colorful whole of stone and marble, is flanked by high towers and has three vaulted porches; The tympanums are probably by sculptor Benedetto Antelami. The very massive bell tower (right) dates from the 15th century. The sober interior with three naves has a choir with wooden inlay and the funerary monument (14th century) of Tomasso Gallo, first abbot of the basilica (second chapel in the right transept). The left aisle leads to the monastery buildings and to the cloister, which offers beautiful views of the complex.