Basilica of San Gaudenzio in Novara, Italy

The idea of completing the basilica with a dome came after more than fifty years following the completion of the bell tower. Funded by a tax on meat, the Fabbrica Lapidea decided it was time to move forward with the dome’s construction, entrusting Antonelli with the task. His first design was presented in 1841, and construction began in 1844. However, the first two years were spent rebuilding the drum and supporting arches, as the original structures were deemed inadequate to support the dome’s weight. Work halted soon after, as wars of independence against Austria took precedence, and the municipality significantly reduced funding.

In 1855, Antonelli revised his plan, increasing the height of the dome from 65 meters to 75 meters. By 1858, the economic situation improved, allowing work to resume. Instead of beginning the dome’s closure, Antonelli raised a second crown of 5-meter-high pillars, preserving the dome’s visual impact. By 1860, he submitted a project involving two orders of columns, which was ultimately rejected. However, by 1861, a revised version of the plan was accepted, promising to be more cost-effective. Construction of the dome’s main structure was completed by 1863, but the spire was delayed due to disagreements, leaving the project incomplete for another decade. During this time, Antonelli worked on the Mole Antonelliana in Turin.

In the following years, as Antonelli aged, there was growing support for completing the dome while he was still alive. Work finally resumed in 1873-1874, focusing on the floral stucco decoration of the interior dome. By 1876, construction on the small dome began and was finished by 1878. On May 16, 1878, the statue of Christ the Saviour, crafted by Pietro Zucchi, was hoisted to the top. The original statue is made of bronze, covered in gold leaf, and stands nearly 5 meters tall. A modern fiberglass replica now adorns the dome’s peak, while the original statue is on display inside the basilica in the left transept.

Following the dome’s completion, structural issues began to emerge, some of which were evident during the early stages of construction. In 1881, Antonelli began reinforcing the four main pillars supporting the dome and expanded the foundations. This work was completed by 1887, in time for the feast of Saint Gaudenzio. Despite these efforts, there were ongoing concerns about the dome’s stability, culminating in an alarm in 1937 that led to the closure of the basilica for nearly a decade. During this period, Arturo Danusso, an architect, conducted reinforced concrete consolidation work. However, later studies showed that these interventions were unnecessary, as Antonelli had cleverly designed the dome to self-support. The structure’s concentric circles gradually shifted weight onto the load-bearing base, ensuring that in the event of failure, the dome would collapse inward rather than onto surrounding buildings.

In recent years, the dome has been equipped with sophisticated alarm systems to monitor potential risks, such as subsidence, cracks, or vibrations. Antonelli’s design is notable for its use of local materials, primarily bricks and lime, without iron reinforcements. This makes the dome one of the tallest brick buildings in the world, a record that was previously held by the Mole Antonelliana in Turin until its spire collapsed in 1953 and was rebuilt with steel reinforcements. The dome’s construction lasted nearly 50 years, but it was never fully completed. Antonelli had intended to decorate the second internal dome with frescoes visible from below. Similarly, the external colonnades were meant to feature a series of statues.

A unique feature of the dome is its visibility from all major roads leading to the city center. Its impressive height and distinct shape make it a constant and striking presence in the landscape of Novara, ensuring that it remains one of the city’s most iconic landmarks.