Urban Tours - Novi Ligure

Land of legendary cyclists between the hills and the Apennines

PERCORSI URBANI (URBAN TOURS)

"Percorsi Urbani" is the initiative supported by Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Alessandria, designed to get to know the cities and towns of the province of Alessandria through engaging visual storytelling. Original illustrations and routes between iconic monuments and hidden corners, enhancing culture and landscape. A fascinating experience designed for tourists and citizens.

Watch Fabio De Vivo's video and retrace his itinerary which you can find on the map below, together with a description of the main points of interest.

Novi Ligure

Bordered by the lowland, at the foot hills known for their wine production.

The town obtained the name of "Ligure" in 1863 when it was necessary to add a qualifying name to the original Novi, to avoid confusion with other towns of the same name; it was chosen to add the adjective "Ligure" to recall the historical connections with Genoa; indeed, the town was subjected to the jurisdiction of Genoa for close to three centuries (1529-1815).

Novi was the Genoese "capital" of the Oltregioco (beyond the Apennines). The Genoese aristocracy built luxurious homes between 1600 and 1700, today known as the Painted Palaces.

The strongly industrialized past of the town continues in several important companies such as internationally-acclaimed chocolate manufacture.

Project created by Alexala with the contribution of the Cassa di Risparmio di Alessandria Foundation

The video by creator Fabio De Vivo was made possible by the project "Discovering lower Piedmont" created by the SLALA Foundation

Itenary

In piazza DELLEPIANE
Chiesa della Collegiata, Santa Maria Assunta documented information of its existence dates back to 1200, it was renovated in 1600/1700.
Among the many works on display, the following are particularly noteworthy:
the altarpiece of the Annunciation by Domenico Fiasella, Nativity of the Virgin Mary by G.B. Casoni, the Preaching of San Francesco Saverio by Andrea Pozzo.
Palazzo Negrone of older origin was built in its current shape in 1737.
The facade was frescoed at the end of the 1700s and displays two sundials, the oldest with Italic hours, the other, painted in the Napoleonic era, represents the hours based on the revolutionary French calendar.
Above the sundials there are frescoes of the Goddess Minerva and the zodiac signs.Palazzo Cambiaso Negrotto – Palazzo Dellepiane the ancient core was enlarged in the mid 1700s, the internal courtyard preserves a large painted backdrop featuring architectural elements. A marble plaque on the facade recalls the stay of Pope Pius VII in May 1815. Palazzo Durazzo was built in the late 1600s, a marble plaque recalls that the French General Joubert died here in 1799, during the French-Austrian war..
In via Niccolò Girardengo
Palazzo Adorno built between the late 1500s and the early 1600s; the late Baroque decoration dates to the 17th century. The courtyard features two elegant overlaid loggias, with traces of the original decoration.
Teatro Municipale dedicated to Romualdo Marenco, composer born in the city, was built thanks to a group of thirtyseven shareholders including the municipality of Novi, and completed in 1839. The interior features elegant paintings and stuccos. It was restored and, after many decades, re-opened to the public in 2019.
Chiesa di San Nicolò , already existent in 1135, the current church was built in 1683, according to the design of the Genoese arthitect Gio Antonio Ricca. It has an eliptical plan with vaulted ceilings, the interior is decorated by Giovanni Andrea Carlone in the late 1600s and by Luigi Morgari in the late 1800s, the altarpiece is the work of Giovanni Isola in the late 1600s; the facade is in cotto in Baroque style. Palazzo Sauli, opposite the Church, dates to the 1700s.
In via Cesare Abba
Chiesa dell’Oratorio della Maddalena , built around 1400 next to the ancient walls. Inside, behind the altar, is a significant group of sculptures in wood comoposed of 21 figures and two life-size horses and depicts Mount Calvary; it was created in the late 1500s by Flemish artists, the background frescoes date to 1600. A second group of sculptures in terracota depict Christ and probably dates to the late 1400s early 1500s. The model of the city dates to 1750; like a photograph, it illustrates its appearance at the time, the walls that enclose the city and the castle are still present.
Museo dei Campionissimi The museum illustrates the history of the bicycle, from the first bicycles to the current e-bikes and shows the connection of the city to the bicycle with the stories of its champions, the very first champion was Costante Girardengo. The stories and victories of the champions are relived not only through memorabilia and bicycles but also maxi screens. A well-furnished video library and database, avails of more than 300 short films.
Il Parco del Castello is accessed along an uphill stretch, and from the top it is possible to enjoy the view of the old part of the city. Of the castle, already documented in 1135, the 13th century tower remains. During the 1700s, the Castle was almost totally torn down, the walls were dismantled during the 1800s, to allow the urban development of the city; some parts that bordered the medieval village are still standing.