Abbazia Benedettina dei Santi Nazario e Celso, San Nazzaro Sesia

We booked a guided tour of the Abbey, the lady was so kind, she explained many little stories 'written in the stones'. Then we've seen Ceppi Museum (wooden handcrafted works by a local artist) and the Ghiacciaia (old room where to store ice to keep fresh foods), both open on request. After more than 2 hours, we can say that she knows her job very well. Tks

A wonderful, well maintained and peaceful location, taking you back in time...

The foundation of the Abbey of San Nazzaro Sesia is linked to a document dated 1040. On that date Riprando donated the land on which the abbey will be built to the Benedictine monks "... here called with the right of tithe ...". Once founded, the abbey's life continued through ups and downs on a regular basis, always increasing in power and prestige, until it reached its peak around the middle of the 1400s. In this period, Abbot Antonio Barbavara took care of the complex. Thanks to this great figure, the abbey was completely rebuilt and took on its present appearance. From this moment on, history sees a progressive decline which was definitively accentuated in the early 1800s with the passage of Napoleon who stripped our lands of all possessions and all the masterpieces they possessed. The decline will end in the present day, precisely in the 60s of the last century when, thanks to the courageous and tireless work of a great Sannazzarese parish priest, Don Danilo Gallo, the restoration work began that brought the abbey back to the ancient splendor of the 1400s. , a splendor that fortunately we can still admire today. Visited today with the guide Mrs. Flavia. Very good indeed, she contributed with her explanations to make us understand and fully appreciate our visit.

Gothic-Lombard architecture, exposed brick walls with many terracotta decorations. Two-story atrium with narthex and bell tower. Facade of the gabled church, hanging arches, ogival portal with decorations, large rose window splayed with circular decorations. Inside you can see the polystyle pillars, pointed arches, cross vaults and many decorations and frescoes on the walls. Founded between 1039 and 1053, restored in the mid-twentieth century.

Simply beautiful abbey with a beautiful village. The mass on Saturday evening before a holiday is very elegantly animated by an organist, a lady agee and a boy. Very good it was very pleasant simple and surprising listening to them sing and play. Good and ... divine. The whole mass was well conducted and attended.