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Chiesa Collegiata di Sant’AmbrogioThe “Collegiate Church of Sant’Ambrogio” (Omegna)
Omegna’s Parish Church, which is situated in Beltrami square, is consecrated to Sant`Ambrogio (St. Ambrose), and its origins dates back to the Middle Ages: the original structure is Romanesque, as testified by the soaring square-structure bell tower and its cusp on the top, as well as some single, double and triple lancet windows which date back to the XIIIth century.
Nevertheless, the church dates back in more distant times, and it presents its oldest parts on the Southern side, which was likely the main entrance in the past. The saddle roof façade as well as some flowery elements refer to the original Romanesque style, on which many enlargements and rearrangements have been placed one upon another. Outside, we also mention the wonderful sundial and the fresco of St. Christopher, on the left of the main entrance.
The interior is composed of a nave and two aisles and it presents a longitudinal structure, without transept. The superimposition of styles is more pronounced, with the baroque marking the different chapels on the side aisles: among the most important ones, we mention the chapel which conserves the Polypthyc by Fermo Stella da Caravaggio (1547).
The Polyptych was commissioned by the inhabitants (Omegna’s ones and its suburbs`) and it portrays 9 patron saints of Cusio`s villages on six wooden boards; among the saints we can find Sant`Ambrogio (St. Ambrose) himself, for Omegna, and St. Gaudenzio, for Crusinallo (don`t forget the wonderful Romanesque church of St. Gaudenzio in Omegna’s hamlet, which dates back to the XI-XIIth century), and a Madonna with the Infant Jesus and the angels.
The Chapel with the Crucified conserves one of those boards which dates back to the XIVth century; it is possible that it was given by St. Ambrose`s Basilica in Milan.
In the right aisle the old ossuary was turned into Lourdes` Chapel.
Finally, the Cappella del Carmine, which was likely the high altar of the Church in the past, with a statue representing the Virgin Mary, and two side ones of Sant`Antonio (St. Anthony) and Sant’Ambrogio (St. Ambrose). From that chapel you can get to the room where San Vito`s remains are conserved: they had been given by Novara`s Bishop as a gift and then moved here and placed in the Collegiate Church of Sant`Ambrogio.
The origins of San Vito’s cult in Omegna are unknown: we don’t know the reason why the Sicilian Saint from Mazara del Vallo has arrived in Cusio and how his remains have reached Novara.
It is certain that the origins of the Feast of San Vito, which is celebrated every year in Omegna during the whole second half of August on the occasion of the remains’ transfer from Novara to the Collegiate Church of Sant’Ambrogio, are really old, and the newspapers have reported its news for over a century. A Saint who became the adopted Patron of the village with Sant`Ambrogio, the regular Saint of the Parish and the Collegiate.
Ever since 1903, the event that represents the fulcrum of the attractions is the Banco di Beneficienza (benefit sale), which today allows the finance of side events (such as fireworks, music and so on) organized by the “Comitato Festeggiamenti San Vito”. Together with the “Banco di Beneficenza”, a lot of shows, pyrotechnic displays, cultural and oenogastronomical events come before and after the church ceremonies, and the climax is the last Sunday of August.
Today, the Feast of San Vito is undoubtedly one of the most important and attractive traditional events in Cusio area and in the entire Province of Novara.
Zone
Il Lago d`Orta
Locality
Omegna