The Necropolis of Saint Nicholas of Myra

NB. The photos in the article are by Leonardo Pagano, whom we thank.

In addition to the most famous Necropolis “La Salata”, in the territory of Vieste there is another necropolis, close to the centre: that of San Nicola di Myra, an archaeological complex of great historical and cultural value. Located in Pantanello district, corresponding to the beginning of the San Lorenzo beach, the necropolis represents a significant example of a rock settlement that fits into the early Christian historical-religious context.

The Rock Church and the Funerary Caves

The central element of the site is the rock church dedicated to Saint Nicholas, excavated inside a stone avant-corps. This church, once enriched with frescoes, was used for the preparation of the bodies before burial, testifying to the deep spirituality of the people who frequented these places.

Le rock caves, divided into four main sections, host numerous burials of different typologies, from crypts to external tombs, revealing the importance of the site as a funerary complex. The presence of these structures could be linked to the migratory phenomenon of the Basilian monks, who arrived on the Gargano around the 8th century AD fleeing from the Eastern Roman Empire, persecuted during the iconoclastic period.

The spread of the cult of Saint Nicholas among the Eastern monks, in fact, would explain the dedication of the church and the necropolis. This phenomenon is common to many areas of Southern Italy, including Puglia, Calabria and Sicily, where the monks found refuge, settling in caves and places already frequented by previous Christian communities.

According to some local scholars, the frescoes inside the rock church probably date back to the 8th century and are attributable to the hand of the Basilian monks. Other experts suggest, instead, an origin Lombard for these decorations, demonstrating how the history of the site is still a subject of study and debate.

A Historical Context That Spans Multiple Eras

La Necropolis of St. Nicholas of Myra It is not only an expression of the late antiquity and the early Middle Ages, but also has roots that go back to the Paleolithic and the Middle Ages. Greco-Roman.
The necropolis stands on a hill facing the old port basin of the ancient port (hence the name “via Antico Porto Aviane”) and represents a tangible trace of ancient Daunia and of the contacts with the Greek colonists, who arrived in these lands since the 6th century BC.

State of Conservation and Future of the Site

Despite its historical and cultural importance, the Necropolis of St. Nicholas of Myra is today in a state of abandonment. The conditions of degradation require urgent recovery interventions to preserve this archaeological heritage. However, recent initiatives by local authorities allow us to glimpse positive signs. The growing attention towards the recovery of the historical heritage of Vieste, as demonstrated by the interventions dedicated to Sanctuary of the Lighthouse of Vieste, gives hope for a better future for this site too.

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