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The Bishops on lake Orta
The episcopal rule on the Riviera of San Giulio lasted about 10 centuries, from the end of the 8th to the end of the 18th century, but in a continuous alternation of displacements and reconfirmation by German emperors and kings, French and Spanish. The Riviera, as a fief or lordship, included the territories of Lake Orta lower, with Gozzano and Soriso, excluding therefore Omegna, which was the Upper Riviera. The bishop of Novara had as titles those of Prince of San Giulio, Marquis of Vespolate, Count of Ossola and Lord of Soriso, to indicate the places where he exercised his authority, and alternated his stays in the palaces of Novara, Gozzano, and in that of the island, where he arrived by boarding in Buccione, received with honors by representatives of the various countries of the Riviera, as witnessed by some prints of the time.
The Bucintoro
Every year, at the time when the Church dominated the San Giulio Riviera, the beach of Buccione was the setting for a great event: the Bishop-Count of Novara, head of the San Giulio Riviera, arrived with his knights in style to climb on his boat called "Bucintoro" with golden tapestries and a huge throne in the center. From the beach of Buccione the procession was led to the island of San Giulio for the annual visit to the abbey. The bells rang during the navigation and the people cheered the bishop. The ship Bucintoro was accompanied on its trip on the lake by the Burchelli, small boats carrying the Captains of the Militia of all the countries of the shores. On the right the Militia of the countries of Orta, Miasino and Armeno and left the Militia of the countries of Cesara and Nonio. We have evidence of great struggles between the Militias Miasino and Nonio for the right side of the ship Bucintoro. We also have testimonies of great festivals throughout the riviera of Lake Orta on the occasion of the arrival of the Bishop-Count.
We still remember some great frescoes of these times on one of the the oldest palaces in Buccione where you can admire ancient coats of arms from the time of the Riviera di San Giulio.
The Frescoes
Gerolamo Pallavicini (1485 -1503)
Ascanio Sforza (1504 - 1505)
Madonna in throne with child and angels
Shield made of simple cross, crossed in a pole and surmounted by a hat and four orders of tassels.
Set of 5 red points equivalent to 4 silver with gold head to the eagle crowned in black.
Representation to protect the Bishop’s journey
Giovanni Serbelloni (1560 - 1574)
Simple cross-shaped shield in pole, surmounted by hat and three orders of tassels
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