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In the center of the historic core of Cusano Mutri, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, stands the church building dedicated to the Patron of the Land of Cusano, the Church of St. Nicholas.
Erected in 700 A.D. outside the city gates, it soon assumed increasing importance, so much so that, consequential to the transformation of the urban center, it was chosen as the municipal church.
A house of worship with apparently modest and very simple architecture, it stands out from the rest of the built-up area of Cusano Mutri for the tall bell tower that flanks it.
Inside the church, which is divided into three naves, a 17th-century stoup with wonderful depictions of saints can be seen, while a stone fountain is kept in the sacristy.
The jewel of the church is the statue of the Virgin of the Rosary of 1689 that every year, on the day of the SS. Trinity, she is carried in procession to City Hall, where she is given flowers and a package containing candles.
The Church of St. Nicholas is located along one of the most characteristic alleys of Cusano Mutri, the Long Neighborhood, after the remains of the ancient Middle Gate which was the city gate, named after the Patron Saint Nicholas. Originally out here in 700 A.D. rose the church, for this reason referred to as the extra moenia That is, outside the walls.
Now located in the center of town, St. Nicholas Church was elevated to parish status after the year 1100 when the small church of St. Anthony and the disused Chestnut Grove Monastery were annexed.
Still in 1760 the parish was in turn annexed to the archpriesthood of St. John the Baptist, as a substantial consequence of two events: first, a few years earlier, precisely in 1757, St. Nicholas was raised to Patron of the Land of Cusano and then the annexation was also due to a reduction in the number of inhabitants of the territory. In the 12th it served as the rectorial church of the University of Cusano.
It then became municipal church to put an end to the long-standing disputes between the parish of Saints Peter and Paul, which stood in the upper part of the city, and the parish of St. John the Baptist, which stood in the lower part. The choice fell precisely on the Church of St. Nicholas since it was in a much more central location than the other two.
When the terrible Irpinia earthquake occurred in 1980, the church suffered severe injuries. It was closed for restoration in 1984 to be reopened for worship by the faithful in 2011.
To reach Chiesa di San Nicola, follow the directions or let the 'Get Directions' button help you.rnReach Chiesa di San Nicola by public transportirnIt is not possible to reach Cusano Mutri by public transport. The nearest station is Telese Cerreto Sannita station, which is 20 km away, or there are EAV bus lines that stop .rnReach the Church of San Nicola by autornYou can easily reach it by your own means from Naples via the A1 Napoli-Roma highway. Take the Caserta Sud exit and continue in the direction of Benevento. Continue to Telese Terme, Fondovalle Isclero and Benevento Caianello. Take the Telese Terme-Cerreto Sannita exit continuing in the direction of Cerreto Sannita, you must follow the signs for Cusano Mutri to your destination.n
