Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul

If you are passing through or visiting Lamezia Terme, a walk along the main street of Nicastro is a must, where you can admire the imposing Cathedral dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul, a church that dates back to 1640 but that has undergone several alterations over the centuries.

The genesis of this church is rather complex: the first cathedral in the area was built in the Byzantine era and dedicated to the Assumption, of which we know nothing about its location. In 1100, Countess Eremburga, niece of Robert Guiscard, had a cathedral built and dedicated it to Saints Peter and Paul. 

The imposing building, built in Romanesque style, unfortunately did not withstand the 1638 earthquake and was destroyed in the collapse. The present church was built in 1640 by Monsignor Giovanni Tommaso Perrone, but has undergone structural changes over the decades. The bell tower is original, on which you can see a sundial and a stone disc with Roman numerals. The dome covered with majolica tiles, on the other hand, was built in 1935. You will be struck by the sumptuous neoclassical façade decorated with busts of saints and Popes Marcellus II and Innocent XI, while the two side terraces make the view more striking.

A beautiful church outside that is also worth a visit inside. The layout is in the shape of a Latin cross, with its three naves housing an inlaid choir, an elegant stoup made of green marble from Calabria and a pipe organ that is a real gem for fans of this type of musical instrument. It was in fact built in 1960, is electrically driven and has two 61-note keyboards and a 32-note pedalboard.