The Church of San Nicola was built in the sixteenth century out of devotion imported by the people of Volturara who, at that time, carried out their trade in Puglia, a region where the cult of San Nicola di Bari is deeply rooted. In the following years, some seismic events made the religious building unsafe for the faithful and, also considering its size unsuitable to accommodate the large number of people who went there to participate in the sacred functions, the municipality had a project carr read more
The Church of San Nicola was built in the sixteenth century out of devotion imported by the people of Volturara who, at that time, carried out their trade in Puglia, a region where the cult of San Nicola di Bari is deeply rooted. In the following years, some seismic events made the religious building unsafe for the faithful and, also considering its size unsuitable to accommodate the large number of people who went there to participate in the sacred functions, the municipality had a project carried out, in the second half of the nineteenth century, for the construction of a new structure. In classical-baroque style, the Church of San Nicola di Bari today has a structure based on a Latin cross plan, with three naves. The ceiling of the central nave is vaulted, decorated with religious frescoes, while the other two naves house numerous niches on the sides. At the center of the religious building is the marble altar, illuminated by the majestic dome above. Finally, the artistic value of the church is enhanced by statues of saints and paintings dating back to the 18th century, depicting the “Holy Family”, “Dead Christ”, “The Pietà” and “The Redeemer with the Madonna and Saint Peter”. A religious symbol of the Volturarese community, the Church of San Nicola dominates the main square of the town, once called “Piazza del Travicello”. read less
