Motta Dè Conti: Churches, Art and Local Festivals

Motta Dè Conti brings together sacred art, historic buildings and local festival traditions. Cultural landmarks include the parish church of S.S. Annunziata, several chapels and the Monumento ai Caduti. The Sagra del Mais and the procession for the Festa di San Giovanni also give the town a range of cultural highlights. This offers several themes to explore as you plan your trip: art history, religious architecture, remembrance and Piedmontese cuisine.

Churches and Works of Art

The parish church of S.S. Annunziata was built in 1390. In the Parrocchia della S.S. Annunziata, the first altar on the right holds a 16th-century panel by Bernardino Lanino. It depicts the mystical marriage of Saint Catherine. The construction date and artwork therefore represent different historical layers: the church dates from the late 14th century, while the panel is from a later period. Anyone interested in the town’s art history will find not only the building itself, but also a specific artwork identified by its artist and subject.

The Monumento ai Caduti depicts a different subject: the winged goddess of victory crowns a dying soldier. In contrast to the panel’s religious imagery, the monument focuses on a scene of remembrance. The works described thus differ not only in when they were created, but also in their subject matter.

Other sacred buildings add to this selection. The Chiesetta di San Giovanni Evangelista dates from 1682. The Chiesetta di San Giovanni Battista is attributed to the 17th century. The date is more specific for the Cappelletta SS. Fabiano e Sebastiano: it is an oratory dating from 1597. The Cappelletta di San Rocco can be identified by two specific features: it has a small bell tower, and its altar holds a statue of Saint Roch. These details offer different ways to distinguish the buildings by date, type and furnishings.

Festivals and Piedmontese Cuisine

Three groups organize the procession for the Festa di San Giovanni together: the Confraternita di San Giovanni, the Oratorio San Giovanni Bosco and the festival committee. The Sagra del Mais has a different focus. It celebrates corn as one of the region’s symbols and combines convivial evenings with traditional food, live music and activities for all age groups. The two events can therefore be distinguished by their different emphases: the procession and its organizing groups on the one hand, and corn, food and music on the other.

Local cuisine is also a focus of the Pro Loco Mottese. Its work centers on traditional Piedmontese cuisine, with the aim of preserving and passing on its unique flavors. This adds a culinary perspective on the region to its festival traditions. If you are interested in the connection between food culture and local customs, the Sagra del Mais and the work of the Pro Loco Mottese offer different points of interest.

Mantie and the History of the Sesia

Mantie lies on the opposite bank of the Sesia and can only be reached from Motta de' Conti via the Lomellina. Its historical references differ from the churches and artworks elsewhere in this article: they range from an interpretation of an ancient route to traces of a former bridge pier. One historical interpretation identifies Mantie as an ancient mutatio ad medias, a horse-changing station on the Roman consular road that connected Rome with Gaul. Identifying it as a horse-changing station makes clear what this historical reference concerns.

The small church of San Rocco in Mantie is also part of the town’s history; it was once served by a resident chaplain. It should be distinguished from the Cappelletta di San Rocco and its furnishings. A 2015 report also describes large stone blocks in the bed of the Sesia near Mantie as bridge piers. These blocks are not identified as a Roman bridge. Together, these sites and remains offer a range of historical themes to consider as you plan your stay in Motta Dè Conti.

Discover more destinations: Rimella, Crescentino, Breia, Fobello, Rima, San Genuario, Bianzè, Rimasco.

For the regional travel overview: Vercelli.