NEOCLASSICISM in Novara
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For Geocachers: there is cache around here. There is no specific hint.
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Barriera Albertina, the Toll Houses
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Coordinates: 45.446726, 8.616663
On the 25th January 1836 the City Council decided to demolish the four city doors and substitute them with toll houses. At that point in time, the city was turning some of its military constructions into buildings that could play a commercial and economical role in a phase of great urban expansion. The location that was picked was the western access to the city, an area around which most of the 19th-century renovations were carried out. The project was designed by Novara-born engineer Antonio Antonelli, who tried to solve the problem of connecting the old city centre to the developing suburbs. |
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Two one-storey, square-plan twin buildings were built, and each of them had a specific purpose: the Northern one hosted the guards, while the other one was used to collect tolls. Both were built flanking the street that carriages used to cross the city centre.
The place was inaugurated in 1837 and it was dedicated to Charles Albert of Sardinia to show gratitude towards a king, who was responsible for the promotion of agriculture and commerce, and who also supported the local economy, thus giving the city a newfound prosperity. It was given the name “Barriera Albertina” (Albert’s Barrier). The two buildings are simple, essential, well-balanced in proportions ad absolutely in tune with the Neoclassical taste. |
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QUESTION 1 - This is a drawing of a classical temple, compare it with the Barriera Albertina’s buildings and mark which elements they have in common.
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Other useful images to understand elements in classical Greek architecture:
Some definitions
Architrave Main weightbearing and weight-distributing element of entablature
Cornice Projecting crowning member of the entablature framing the pediment
Entablature The upper part of a classical building supported by columns or a colonnade, comprising the architrave, frieze, and cornice
Frieze Molded horizontal projection that together with two sloping cornices forms a triangle that enframes the pediment
Metope The square panel between the triglyphs in a Doric frieze, often sculpted in relief
Naos or cella A room with no windows that usually housed the cult statue of the deity
Pediment Triangular shape at the end of a building, formed by the ends of the sloping roof above the colonnade
Peristyle External colonnade on all four sides
Pronaos The space, or porch, in front of the cella, or naos, of an ancient Greek temple
Stoa A covered walkway or portico, commonly for public use.
Stylobate The stepped platform upon which colonnades of temple columns are placed
Triglyph A stone block in a Doric frieze, having three vertical channels
Tympanum A vertical recessed triangular space forming the centre of a pediment, typically decorated
Learn correct pronunciation at https://quizlet.com/4519197/parts-of-greek-temples-flash-cards/
See also: Greek Temple: Architecture, Construction & Parts: http://study.com/academy/lesson/greek-temple-architecture-construction-parts.html
Architrave Main weightbearing and weight-distributing element of entablature
Cornice Projecting crowning member of the entablature framing the pediment
Entablature The upper part of a classical building supported by columns or a colonnade, comprising the architrave, frieze, and cornice
Frieze Molded horizontal projection that together with two sloping cornices forms a triangle that enframes the pediment
Metope The square panel between the triglyphs in a Doric frieze, often sculpted in relief
Naos or cella A room with no windows that usually housed the cult statue of the deity
Pediment Triangular shape at the end of a building, formed by the ends of the sloping roof above the colonnade
Peristyle External colonnade on all four sides
Pronaos The space, or porch, in front of the cella, or naos, of an ancient Greek temple
Stoa A covered walkway or portico, commonly for public use.
Stylobate The stepped platform upon which colonnades of temple columns are placed
Triglyph A stone block in a Doric frieze, having three vertical channels
Tympanum A vertical recessed triangular space forming the centre of a pediment, typically decorated
Learn correct pronunciation at https://quizlet.com/4519197/parts-of-greek-temples-flash-cards/
See also: Greek Temple: Architecture, Construction & Parts: http://study.com/academy/lesson/greek-temple-architecture-construction-parts.html
QUESTION 2 - Now have a look at the columns. For sure you have recognised them as a typical element of a Greek temple. But which Greek style are they inspired to?
Sculptor Giuseppe Argenti embellished the two buildings with allegorical sculptures. In each tympanum you can see female statues, on one building they represent Novara’s coat of arms and the other the royal family, thus reinforcing the bond between the king and the city.
QUESTION 3 - On which building can you see Novara’s coat of Arms?
On the façade of the buildings there are niches hosting statues that are the personifications of virtues such as Royal Charity, and Vigilance, plus Agriculture and Commerce.
Royal Charity is a lady wearing royal robes holding a pine branch and an olive branch, next to her sits an owl. (the pine grows without damaging other trees, it’s thus a symbol of benevolence and wisdom in economic planning; the olive tree is a symbol of peace; the owl can see in the dark)
Gratitude is depicted as a young woman carrying a bunch of broad beans and petting a stork. In the plinth
Agriculture is depicted as Psyche, and she is leaning on a plough.
Commerce is symbolized by a young version of Mercury; the god is shown with curly hair, a winged hat and a bag. The bag is half hidden, since in business you must be discreet. The griffon next to him holds some coupon bonds to underline the importance of public debt in business and commerce.
Royal Charity is a lady wearing royal robes holding a pine branch and an olive branch, next to her sits an owl. (the pine grows without damaging other trees, it’s thus a symbol of benevolence and wisdom in economic planning; the olive tree is a symbol of peace; the owl can see in the dark)
Gratitude is depicted as a young woman carrying a bunch of broad beans and petting a stork. In the plinth
Agriculture is depicted as Psyche, and she is leaning on a plough.
Commerce is symbolized by a young version of Mercury; the god is shown with curly hair, a winged hat and a bag. The bag is half hidden, since in business you must be discreet. The griffon next to him holds some coupon bonds to underline the importance of public debt in business and commerce.
DO QUIZ 1A here to get a hint for a FINAL CACHE
QUESTION 4 - Have a look at the buildings and identify the statues:
DO QUIZ 1B here to get a hint for a FINAL CACHE
In the XIX there were other two statues placed on two pillars: Gratitude and Concordance. These statues were later removed and can now be found at the entrance of the city cemetery (Concordance is sitting and holding a torch and a pomegranate branch; Vigilance, also sitting, has an oil lamp on her lap and next to her chair sits a rooster).
Do not forget to look for the cache! You can then move on to the next step.
From the Barriera Albertina head North along the alley called Baluardo Quintino Sella. This alley was built on top of the Spanish walls and somewhere you can still see some parts of them.
Walk along the pedestrian and bike lane. About 500 metres on your right you will see a big villa with columns on the ground, first and second floor. That is Casa Bossi, a villa known by almost all the Novaresi:
move on to CASA BOSSI
Walk along the pedestrian and bike lane. About 500 metres on your right you will see a big villa with columns on the ground, first and second floor. That is Casa Bossi, a villa known by almost all the Novaresi:
move on to CASA BOSSI
