Livorno Ferraris the city of rice

In the heart of the Vercelli countryside stands Livorno Ferraris, a small town known for its rice production and for being the birthplace of the scientist Galileo Ferraris. The city was already known in Roman times because it was crossed by a trade route that crossed the territories of Livorno Ferraris; the town began to develop around the year 1000, as evidenced by the Templar church. The church retains the original facade with herringbone bricks. From the Middle Ages onwards the city had a great development thanks to agriculture linked to rice plantations. The Tenuta Colombara farmhouse was built in 1400 as a hostel for travelers, in 1500 rice cultivation was started. Over the years a real community with shops, schools, houses and taverns developed around the farmhouse. The farmhouse today owned by the Rondolino family is a branch of the University of Gastronomic Sciences of Pollenzo and home to the ecomuseum containing period objects and equipment belonging to the inhabitants of the community. Outside the tower there is the rice mill for the Carnaroli rice fields, while inside there are the machinery necessary for the processing and packaging of the rice. It is possible to visit all the rooms of the farmhouse for free. The church of San Lorenzo Martire has a facade facing east, the facade is preceded by the tetrastyle pronaos; the interior has a single nave with side chapels and a barrel vault. The church preserves a wooden crucifix from the 16th century, the reliquaries of San Clemente and San Lorenzo and paintings by Alberini from the 17th century. The shrine museum dedicated to Galileo Ferraris is located in the main square. Typical dishes of the place are; locally produced rice beer, panissa, beans and rice cakes. The most important festival is that of 'Tra le note', where a band concert is proposed accompanied by good traditional food.