Cressa
Cressa: a peaceful municipality in Piedmont
Cressa is a charming municipality in Piedmont with 1,609 inhabitants, located in the province of Novara, approximately 27 km northwest of the city of Novara. Its landscape is flat and smooth, perfect for long walks and enjoying the surrounding nature.
Origins and name history
The name of Cressa seems to derive from the name of the Roman nobleman Crescinio or Crescente, who is mentioned on a plaque found in the Santa Cristina district of Borgomanero and is preserved at the Canonica Museum of the Novara Cathedral. The village was called "Crisiae" in Roman times and later "Cresia," as attested in a notarial deed from 1236. The current toponym appears for the first time in 1330 in a document concerning the investiture of goods and income to Giovanni nicknamed Ceredano by the Monastery of Arona.
Symbols of the municipality
The coat of arms and the flag of Cressa were granted by decree of the President of the Republic on March 1, 2000. The flag is a yellow drape.
Monuments and places of interest
Cressa is rich in monuments and places of interest. The Church of Saints Giulio and Amatore, built in the seventeenth century, is a gem of Baroque art. The Oratory of San Giulio, located in the countryside south of the township, dates back to the eleventh century and is divided into three aisles; some parts of the place are frescoed with works from the fifteenth century, such as a Madonna with Child and Saint Giulio with the plague victims and snakes. Furthermore, the Silk Cocoon Museum, founded in 2010 in Piazza Matteotti, tells the story of silkworm farming in the Cressa area, historically linked to mulberry cultivation.
Life in Cressa
The municipality has a population of 1,609 inhabitants, with an average age of the population being quite high. The local economy is based on agriculture and fruit tree cultivation, in particular mulberry cultivation for silkworm farming. Despite its small size, Cressa is a lively and dynamic municipality that organizes cultural and recreational events throughout the year.
Administration of Cressa
The municipality of Cressa is administered by a democratically elected mayor and city council. The current mayor is Maria Grazia Arzarello, who has undertaken numerous activities to improve the lives of citizens in Cressa.
Conclusions
Cressa is a pleasant municipality in the province of Novara, where life flows peacefully and leisurely. Its history, monuments, and local economy make it a fascinating and surprising place to visit during a trip to Piedmont.
