Maggiora: Churches, Building History and Motorsport

Maggiora can be explored through a variety of themes: sacred architectural history, historic areas of economic activity, a distinctive building, a Nordic walking route and motorsport. You can choose your destination based on the topics that interest you during your stay.

Churches and Historic Traces

The parish church of Santo Spirito is a Baroque building erected over an older structure, which was already mentioned in 1512. The church contains a main altar made of polychrome marble. It was transferred here from the Chiesa del Carmine di Novara in 1811. The building’s history and the altar thus tell of different stages: the Baroque building followed the older structure, and the altar from Novara was added later.

Another feature of the church’s furnishings is the Neoclassical Scurolo for Sant’Agapito. Zanoia designed and began it in 1817; Antonelli completed the work. The attribution and the different styles offer another way to explore Maggiora’s church history, alongside the Baroque building and the main altar.

The old chapel of Santa Maria in Muzano is also a historic landmark: in 1436, it became the parish church. Maggiora’s past also has an economic dimension. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the extraction of high-quality clay and the production of bricks in kilns were part of the local economy. The town’s history therefore extends beyond religious buildings to include an earlier tradition of craftsmanship and production.

Casa Antonelli and Its Architecture

Casa Antonelli makes its own architectural statement. The building has four floors and faces south onto a well-planted garden with centuries-old trees. The main entrance is on Via Spirito Antonelli. From there, a path leads to an inner courtyard, which looks onto the monumental façade. The orientation, garden and courtyard give the building several clearly described aspects: the view to the south and the sequence of entrance, courtyard and façade.

Those interested in architectural history can consider Casa Antonelli alongside Maggiora’s churches: the religious buildings are defined by their Baroque and Neoclassical features, while the four floors, garden and monumental façade shape the architectural impression of Casa Antonelli. These different themes make the town’s history accessible beyond its churches.

Trails Through the Town Centre and Sizzone Valley

The Maggiora 1 Nordic walking route starts at Piazza Antonelli and runs through the narrow streets of the historic centre. It then continues through the wooded Sizzone Valley towards Motto Cicogno on the slopes of Monte Fenera. The route thus connects sections in the town centre with a trail through the valley. If you are choosing activities based on their specific route, the starting point and the stated destinations provide useful guidance.

Another route leads through Maggiora to Casot del Bus and then into the Monte Fenera Natural Park. When choosing a route, you can take the different destinations into account: Maggiora 1 heads towards Motto Cicogno, while the other route description mentions Casot del Bus and the natural park.

Motorsport at the Maggiora Offroad Arena

The Maggiora Offroad Arena is a permanent sports facility for autocross and off-road racing in Località Pragiarolo, within the municipality of Maggiora. Its permanent rallycross track is homologated by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA). Alongside the town’s historical and natural attractions, this provides a clear motorsport focus to consider when planning your trip.

On certain track days, the rallycross circuit is open for public test sessions with cars, Kart Cross vehicles, and approved or road-approvable buggies. These sessions take place on specific track days. If public test sessions are important to your stay, check the arena’s current schedule before travelling.

Find Hotels in Maggiora

Then search specifically for hotels in Maggiora for your travel dates and make your selection based on the actual reason for your trip.

Discover more destinations: Armeno, Borgolavezzaro, Casaleggio Novara, Barengo, Vaprio D’agogna, Invorio Inferiore, Borgomanero, Divignano.

For the broader travel overview: Novara.