Monumenti Aperti – Bellinzago Novarese

Monumenti Aperti in Bellinzago Novarese

In the heart of the Novara plains, just a few kilometers from the border with Lombardy, the Municipality of Bellinzago Novarese participates in Monumenti Aperti, the event that for nearly thirty years has invited Italians to rediscover their historical and artistic heritage. For an entire weekend, monuments that are often closed or little-known open their doors for free, with stories told by local volunteers and students.

The Jewel: Badia di Dulzago

The heart of Bellinzago's participation is the Badia di Dulzago, established in the 12th century on the morainic hills of the Terdoppio valley. The name is thought to derive from dulcis acquae, due to the presence of springs in the area, and the ancient village of Dulzago is documented as far back as 892. The Abbey was not only a place of worship but also an important agricultural center: the canons reclaimed the surrounding land and organized the complex as a true village, complete with a church, the Abbot's residence, canons' quarters, tenant houses, and a cemetery. Even today, the area retains the atmosphere of a medieval village nestled in the countryside.

The Chiesa di San Giulio

Within the complex stands the Chiesa di San Giulio, a Romanesque structure recognizable by its three apses adorned with elegant hanging arches resting on terracotta corbels. On the presbytery wall, medieval frescoes depicting angels and saints are preserved. Between the late 17th and 18th centuries, the building underwent extensive restoration and decoration: the 18th-century facade, topped by a pediment with two portals, features a work by local painter Clemente Salsa dedicated to Saint Julius in the lunette of the main portal.

How the Event Works

Monumenti Aperti was born in Cagliari in 1997 and is now coordinated by the Imago Mundi OdV association. The formula is simple and generous: free admission to all sites, with tours led by volunteers and students who, for a day, become guardians and storytellers of their own heritage. The 2026 edition, the thirtieth, spans 18 regions with over 800 sites involved and is supported by the Ministry of Culture and major national and European institutions.

An Opportunity to Discover the Novara Area

Visiting Bellinzago Novarese during Monumenti Aperti means combining culture with exploring the territory: rice fields, springs, and the villages of the Province of Novara provide the backdrop for a day in the open air. The Abbey is also known for the traditional sagra della fagiolata di San Giulio (bean festival), which takes place every late January: two different events, but both symbols of the deep bond between the community and this place.