In Novara an exhibition on the paths of human diversity
How came our species 200 thousand years ago by a small valley Africa to colonize the entire planet, differentiating them into a great variety of peoples and cultures? This is the theme of the exhibition “Homo sapiens.
The great history of human diversity “that after two long stages in Rome and Trieste, arrived on 8 March in Piedmont, Novara. Curated by geneticist Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza, professor emeritus at Stanford University, and Telmo Piovani, philosopher of science, the exhibition for the first time combines the efforts of researchers from different countries and disciplines (linguistics to climatology) to reconstruct the paths of human history on Earth.
The venue is the beautiful Broletto the city itself interesting architectural complex, courtyard that connects Piazza del Duomo and Corso Italy, ancient decuman and still shopping street of the old town. Here, among the red brick Arengario, where the consuls were elected, and the Palace of the Guild, now covered by a loggia Baroque, it was used for the wheat and oats were elected invitations and exposed sentenced to pillory. Two years ago the Broletto, after a major renovation, it also hosts the Galleria d’Arte Moderna Giannoni.
Leaving the Broletto under the arcades of Via Rosselli here is the Cathedral, a continuation until the nineteenth century Romanesque dell’Arengo, but demolished and rebuilt in neoclassical style by Alessandro Antonelli.
Today the medieval remains only suggestive quadriportici the rectory, while saying that the portal is the most magnificent in Europe in this style, and that the nave is inspired by the Pantheon in Paris. The most significant work of Antonelli in the city, however, is the dome of the sixteenth-century basilica of the patron saint San Gaudenzio: 121 meters high with a base diameter of 31 meters, unique in the architecture world because it is made entirely of bricks, no structures iron.
The construction lasted over 40 years and was closed in 1887, two years before the date of the Mole in Turin, where the dome, according to Novara, of course, is always higher for harmony and elegance. From January was reopened to the public with a new lift: the view of the city and the surrounding countryside, especially in the period of flooding of rice fields, is truly remarkable (free tour until March 31, reservations required at 0321/394059 or by writing to info @ turismonovara.it).
Inside the Basilica, it is worthwhile to look at the altarpiece of the Nativity of Gaudenzio Ferrari, famous for the Sacro Monte of Varallo, and the eighteenth-century crypt containing the remains of the patron saint.
Before leaving, take a taste of gorgonzola, sweet or spicy version, and salam d’la duja, seasoned pork sausage preserved in lard which makes it soft and tasty. It is one of the ingredients of the most traditional dish of this land of paddy fields: paniscia, rice farmer with beans, cabbage, pork rinds, bacon and red wine. To be enjoyed with a glass of wine from the hills of Novara: the Ghemme DOCG or DOC Fara, Boca Sizzano or from Nebbiolo grapes, Vespolina or Uva Rara.
Info: shows Homo Sapiens: from March 8 to June 30, Broletto, Novara, www.homosapiens.net, while the city, www.turismonovara.it
