Marco Mattiuzzi

The Basilica of Sant’Andrea in Vercelli, a splendid example of Gothic-Romanesque architecture, was built at the behest of Cardinal Guala Bicchieri between 1219 and 1227. This monument not only represents an architectural masterpiece but also houses precious medieval graffiti, a hidden heritage that deserves to be highlighted in tourist and historical guides.On the occasion of the 800th anniversary of the basilica's foundation, the Artes Liberales Association of Vercelli displayed photographic reproductions of some of these graffiti in the exhibition “Harmonies between Romanesque and Gothic.” Documented by the Vercelli Archaeological Group, these include symbols, inscriptions, and decorations that offer a fascinating…

Above one of the portals of the Salone Dugentesco in Vercelli, the ancient hospital founded in the 13th century by Cardinal Guala Bicchieri, there is a painted lunette that, despite the passage of centuries, still tells a fascinating story. The lunette, though in precarious condition, offers a captivating image: Saint Andrew, Saint Peter, and the cardinal himself are depicted in a richly symbolic iconography. Guala Bicchieri, with his bearded face and lavishly decorated robe, is shown offering the Basilica of Saint Andrew to Christ.The façade of the Salone Dugentesco, once a hub of activity and care, still echoes the grandeur…