The Abbey of Sant’Andrea is located in Vercelli and dates back to 1219. It was built at the behest of Cardinal Guala Bicchieri. The building is Romanesque-Gothic in style and is particularly appreciated for its formal elegance and colour scheme, dictated by the alternation of the grey-green of Valsesian stone, the white of sandstone and the red of bricks. The name of the architect remains unknown. The interior is very solemn and sober, divided into three large naves separated by pointed arches.
On either side of the Abbey is the complex comprising the Cloister and the Chapter House. The latter is considered one of the most beautiful in Italy and is where the Chapter, the collegiate body of monks who governed the Abbey, used to meet. It was also here that peace was signed between the Guelphs and Ghibellines of Vercelli in 1310.
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