Discovering the villages and ancient castles in the East Sesia Novarese, from Novara to Carpignano through the villages of S. Pietro Mosezzo, Casaleggio, Vicolungo, Mandello, Landiona, Sillavengo and Castellazzo, in the plain crossed by the Cavour canal

Depart from the square of the Church of Madonna del Bosco (Corso Vercelli) of Novara. Go along road SR 11 to Vercelli, after 1.8 km turn right for Casalgiate. On reaching Casalgiate, turn left to Gionzana; here the Oratory of the Madonna del Latte is well worth visiting. Continue to San Pietro Mosezzo, and then on the SP11 for about 1.2km, then turn right and arrive at Mosezzo. Continue on the SP12 up to Casaleggio; go through it to Vicolungo; then continue on the SP15 up to Mandello Vitta. Turn left onto the SP82 and reach Landiona. Turn right and continue along the SP16 to reach Carpignano Sesia. Turn right onto the SP15 to reach Sillavengo. Go through the village and on the SP154 you arrive in Castellazzo. At the traffic lights, turn right onto the SP14 to reach Casaleggio.

Take the SP12 and after 600 m continue on the dirt road that passes by the farms Buontalento, Regina and Colombare.

Continue on the dirt road that passes by Cascina Nuova to reach Nibbia. Turning right, passing the Cascine Obbiadino and Posta, to the SP11 (industrial zone). Turning left, continue on the SP11 to Novara.

The route travels primarily on secondary roads or roads with limited traffic, only for short sections marked green on the map. Pay attention to busy roads. In total, you will cycle approx. 51 km, 3.5 km on dirt roads.

Gionzana – Novara, Oratory of the Madonna del Latte

The small church, once called Santa Maria della Scaglia, stands in the middle of the rice fields close to Gionzana. Inside, Inside, a rich cycle of 15th century frescoes, skilfully restored, represents the saints dearest to popular devotion, in addition to Our Lady of Sorrows. Instead, the much-venerated effigy dedicated to the Madonna del Latte suffered a burglary in the 1970s.

San Pietro Mosezzo: Parish Church of San Pietro Apostolo

Built in the 16th century on a pre-existing building, it is a construction with simple lines. On the single nave with barrel vault open out two chapels dedicated to the Crucifix and to the Madonna of the Rosary. Worthy of note are the Baroque altars in polychrome marble and frescoes of the 18th century.

Casaleggio, Parish Church of Sant’Ambrogio

Today it presents Baroque forms even if its origins preced it. The building with single nave preserves a canvas of fine workmanship, attributable to Morazzone or his school. Along the road to Castellazzo, there are the visible remains of the ancient Church of Sant’Antonio.

Vicolungo, Parish Church of San Giorgio

Of ancient origins, it preserves parts of the Romanesque walls on which is still visible a lovely fresco of the 15th century, depicting St. George, the dragon and the princess. It is also worth visiting the Oratory of San Martino, for the ecclesial frescoes of its interior.

Vicolungo, Castle

The complex composed of more buildings built during the centuries, sees in the rock formation the oldest part dating to the 15th century.

Vicolungo, Palazzi

The ancient complex rises outside of the village, along the ancient Strada Biandrina; in medieval times, it was a strong house and fief of the Counts of Biandrate and used as a centre of collection of farming products. Inside rises the magnificent Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, richly decorated by the workmen who operated in the area from the 15th to the 17th century.

Mandello Vitta, Parish Church of San Lorenzo

The church dates to the late 12th century. The bell tower is late Romanesque and the apse is of a later time.

Landiona, Castle

Today it is home to the town hall and schools, the fortress was commissioned by Paolo Caccia in 1280.

Landiona, Parish Church of San Pietro and Paolo

Currently it has a 19th century shape but its origins are very old: indeed, it is mentioned for the first time in 1113.

Landiona, Oratory of Santa Maria dei Campi

Datable to the 12th century, it underwent expansions around 1493. Inside, it presents a cycle of 16th century frescoes.

Carpignano Sesia, Castello-ricetto
Already documented around 1100, inside it presents narrow pebbled streets onto which face 14th and 15th century buildings. In a cellar of the castle, there is the oldest example of a weight torque of Piedmont, datable to 1575.

Carpignano Sesia, Church of San Pietro in castello

It rises inside the ancient castrum and preserves a precious unique cycle of frescoes of its kind, datable to around 1140-1160; the church is part of the European network of Cluniac Sites.

Castellazzo, Rocca dei Caccia

Today the castle is a heterogeneous complex of buildings built from the 15th to the 17th century, with an adjoining private church. Inside, is the imposing and majestic rock formation.