Guided Tour of Villa Antonelli — FAI Novara

A day tracing the footsteps of Alessandro Antonelli

In the small town of Maggiora, in the Province of Novara, nestled in the heart of the Piedmontese countryside, the FAI Novara Delegation is hosting a special opening: a guided tour of Villa Antonelli, the family home of the celebrated architect Alessandro Antonelli. This is a rare opportunity to cross the threshold of a private residence that reveals the most intimate and authentic side of one of the greatest figures in 19th-century Italian architecture.

Who was Alessandro Antonelli?

Born in Ghemme in 1798 and hailing from Maggiora, Alessandro Antonelli is considered Piedmont's first true "archistar." His name is linked to works that still inspire awe today for their technical audacity and aesthetic grandeur: the Mole Antonelliana in Turin and the dome of San Gaudenzio in Novara are the most famous symbols of an architectural vision capable of pushing traditional masonry far beyond its limits.

The family villa: a thirty-year construction site

The villa in Maggiora is a precious testament to the private life of the Novara-born architect. For decades, the house served as a true laboratory: Antonelli spent over thirty years experimenting with construction solutions and techniques, turning his family home into a permanent building site. Visiting it means observing the designer's thoughts and craftsmanship up close, far from the grand public works that cemented his fame.

The guided tour

The event, organized by the FAI Novara Delegation, features scheduled guided tours in the afternoon. The route focuses on the designer's life and training, as well as the cultural and territorial context that influenced his architectural vision. All proceeds from the tour contributions are donated to the Fondo per l'Ambiente Italiano (FAI) to support heritage conservation.

Maggiora and the Antonellian Piedmont

This initiative is part of a rich calendar of lectures, tours, and events that the FAI Novara Delegation dedicates to the Upper Piedmont region. Maggiora and its neighboring towns form a true Antonellian itinerary, winding through hilly landscapes, villages, and architectural gems that reveal the deep bond between the architect and his homeland.