A municipality in the province of Novara, which lies on the border with the territories of the Verbano Cusio Ossola area near Lake Orta. The town is very charming with its medieval houses, small beaches and a small harbor. It is departure point for several excursions to Mount Barro and the Valley of Pescone or along the lakeside quays. The town is divided into two districts: Crabbia, with lovely buildings recently restored and Pratolungo, once famous for its fruit cultivations and for its highly successful wine business, now only partially recovered.
The Roman presence in the area is evidenced by the discovery of tombs of the period. At the fall of the Roman Empire, the region was left in chaos and insecurity, easy prey for the Barbarians and Lombards, only interested in plundering and sacking the villages. Subsequently Pettenasco belonged to the Lombard Duchy, as evidenced by an act of the year 892, and the Committee of Pombia. It also appears in historical documents dating appointed shortly after year 1000, a period in which it belonged to the fief of San Giulio, domain of Bishops of Novara. Shortly after the town gained its own statutes and autonomy.
Not to miss:
- the Parish Church of Saints Audenzio and Catherine, built in the XVIII century on the remains of a pre-Romanesque chapel dating from the XII century. The entrance is preceded by a portico with three arches, the façade is embellished with niches and surmounted by a tympanum. It features a single nave plan and preserves inside a series of interesting paintings, including work by the artist Procaccini. It is flanked by a Romanesque Bell Tower, the only remaining element of the original structure, with a square base plan and a series of mullioned windows and connected to a second Bell Tower, built in the late XVIII century;
- the Oratory of St. Martin in Crabbia, which is preceded by a porch and has a single aisle. Inside it preserves an altar on which is represented Sant'Anna;
- the Church of San Grato in Pratolungo, of which the year of construction is uncertain and houses a XVII century altarpiece depicting the Madonna and some Saints, including St. Grato;
- the medieval Manor, located in the Square of the Town Hall and is , today, seat of the Proloco (touristic information centre) and also hosts exhibitions, shows and concerts;
- the Museum of wood carving craftsmen.