Church of St. Nicolò

The church of Saint Nicolò, perhaps of Romanesque origin, was rebuilt in the 1700s and heavily renovated in the following century following the damage reported in the violent earthquake of 1780. The main altar, adorned with polychrome marble, was made by the workshop of the Toschini brothers. Inside the left aisle, in the chapel next to the main altar, there is the statue of the Blessed Virgin of the People who since 1621 the faithful have venerated as the patron saint of the town. In the primitive chapel the simulacrum of the Madonna del Popolo was hidden by an altarpiece depicting the Madonna del Carmine. The valuable painting, which today is preserved in the second chapel on the right, is traditionally attributed to Felice Cignani. Among the present works, the polychrome terracotta statue of the Madonna dell ‘olivo (1489 ca.) is a valuable Tuscan folk art. In the right nave the fifth chapel houses an altarpiece depicting Saints Nicolò and Maria Maddalena de’ Pazzi in adoration of the Holy Spirit (1757) by Giuseppe Marchetti. In the third chapel on the right is the Crucified Christ (about 1502), a fresco attributed to Francesco Menzocchi. To this Crucifix, as reported by a Latin plaque affixed to a wall of the Town Hall, the popular faith attributed the miracle of the town’s salvation from the earthquake of 1661, which had destroyed all the neighboring towns.

It celebrates the Feast of Saint Nicolò, Patron Saint of Meldola, on 6 December and of the Blessed Virgin of the People on the last weekend of August.

Opening times: Hours of worship

Entrance fee: Free entrance

How to get there: Located in the historic centre of Meldola. It can be reached on foot from the various parking areas in the centre.