Chiesa Madre San Nicolò Vescovo, Melilli

About

San Nicolò Vescovo is a Renaissance-style Roman Catholic church located on Piazza Duomo, above Via Ruggero Settimo in the town of Melilli, province of Siracusa, region of Sicily, Italy. It is the Chiesa Madre or Mother Church of the town.

History and description: A church at this site, dedicated to Saint Nicholas, bishop of Myra, first patron saint of Melilli, is known since 1308-130 when the town came under the feudal rule of the Mezzamontagna family. This church is thought to be one of the churches dedicated to this saint noted in a bull of Pope Alexander III in 1169. The structure was heavily damaged by the earthquake of 10 December 1542, and again by the 1693 Sicily earthquake. Reconstruction promptly ensued under Michele Trigilio and Girolamo, and his brother Giuseppe, Palazzotto. The first story of the campanile was rebuilt in a Romanesque-style by the brothers La Bella di Melilli, and the second story by Natale Bonaiuto. Construction lasted until 1760, and the church was reconsecrated in 1763. In the very plain East-facing facade, the architrave of the portals have sculpted elements from the coat of arms of the Moncada family and symbols of the bishopric. Above the right...