St Nicholas Square

The Lost Chapel of San Nicola: a history (and a legend) still alive in the heart of Turi

Just a few steps from the Palazzo Marchesale of Turi, where a small square now opens up, there once stood a tiny stone chapel dedicated to Saint Nicholas of Bari. Nothing remains of this building today: it was demolished in 1970, during a period of modernisation of the historic centre. Yet its memory continues to resonate through the stories, documents, and emotions of the people of Turi.

According to an ancient local legend, an image of Saint Nicholas once adorned the interior of the chapel. Whenever, through neglect or intent, someone attempted to cover it with limewash, the saint’s face would mysteriously reappear—as if Saint Nicholas wished to continue protecting the town and reminding the community of his presence. Over the centuries, this tale has endowed the site with an enduring aura of fascination and spirituality.

Historical sources also confirm the importance of the building. A document from 1606 describes it as “renewed but lacking an altar and images”, while records from 1659 attest to restoration works aimed at restoring its liturgical function. For a long time, the apse—known as the scarsella—housed the fresco of Saint Nicholas, alongside an image of the Madonna that remained visible until the 1960s.

Over the years, the chapel gradually lost its religious role and was first converted into a dwelling, then into a cellar and storage space. In the 1960s it belonged to Rocco Rizzi, a wine producer, and later to Andrea Di Pinto, a florist. In 1970, without surveys or archaeological investigations, the ancient structure was demolished—a decision that deprived Turi of a precious fragment of its past.

Even in 2003, when the area was repaved and renamed Larghetto di San Nicola, no preliminary checks were carried out—another missed opportunity to recover traces of the original building or possible archaeological remains.

Today, only memory remains: fragile yet resilient. It lives on in archival documents, historical studies, and above all in the voices of those who continue to tell the story of the miraculous fresco. A forgotten corner that, through collective memory, becomes a symbol of identity, devotion, and belonging.

For those visiting Turi, it is an invitation to discover not only what can be seen, but also what survives through stories—the hidden heart of the old town.