EX CHIESA MADRE

The ex Mother Church, dedicated to San Nicola of Bari, which collapsed following the earthquake of 1968, rose above the city acropolis, the present piazza Alicia, possibly on the site of a pre-existing pagan temple, which followed an Arab mosque. Its construction which began in 1615 to the plans of Mariano Smeriglio, was completed in 1761.
The recovery work of the architect Alvaro Siza, consisted in leaving the ruins of the apse as a scenic background to the square in memory of the earthquake and in commemoration of the subsequent rebirth of the town. The large churchyard, between the apse and the remains of the lateral chapels has become a meeting place above all for young people.