Aloisio Novi. An architect from Intelvi valley in Vasili III's Russia [Un architetto dei laghi lombardi alla corte moscovita di Basilio III: Aloisio Novi da Lanzo d'Intelvi]

The misunderstanding of names and surnames and the diversity of spelling did not help in the recognition of Aloisio Novi as a member of the second generation of Lake Artists who worked in Russia, and who were above all involved in the building of Moscow as the Grand Princes' capital city. Aloisio Novi - who we can finally consider a member of the well-known dynasty from Intelvi Valley - arrived in Russia between the reigns of Velikij Knjaz' - Gosudar' Ivan III (1462-1505) and his successor Vasili III (1505-1533). Before coming to Russia, Novi worked for the Crimean court of Menli I Giray in 1504. He could use different architectonical languages and this capability was one of the most distinguished features of his activity in Moscow. This is particularly clear considering the projects undertaken in the Kremlin area: the cathedral of Archangel Michael, the portal of the Cathedral of the Annunciation, sections of the Palace of Facets and of the Dukal Palace. He was also involved in the building of the cathedral of the Dormition of Mary in Simonov monastery and in the cathedral dedicated to Saint Peter in the Vysoko-Petrovskij monastery. His highest achievement was his ability, of moulding the local Russian context with his artistic culture, meaning the Como heritage enriched with Venetian elements. Novi introduced new architectural patterns but was also capable of using the traditional Russian ones He was also able, with recognisable consistency, to lay the foundations of patterns which would influence Russian architecture at least until the beginning of the 17th century.