In Novara, the Paleochristian Baptistery preserves a magnificent cycle of frescoes inspired by the Apocalypse, the Baptistery of San Giovanni Battista in Agrate Conturbia (9th century) and Cureggio (12th century). An ideal itinerary winds from the Benedectine Abbey of Santi Nazaro and Celso in Nazario Sesia to the Basilica of San Michele Arcangelo in Oleggio and the church of San Pietro in Carpignano Sesia, valuable example of Romanesque architecture and painting from the 11th century in the ancient shelter. Extremely important are the parish church of San Pietro a Casalvone (9th century) and the church of San Vincenzo in Castro in Pombia that is a national museum. Also significant are the Oratory of San Leonardo in Borgomanero, the one dedicated to San Pietro a Fara Novarese and the Church-Oratory of the Holy Trinity (11th century) not far from the town of Momo, in the ancient Via Francisca that connects Novara to the Ossola passages. On Lake Orta the frescoes of the Basilica of San Giulio have a great chromatic effect and are symbol of the Island of San Giulio with the Benedectine Abbey Mater Ecclesiae and the adjacent female monastery.
