Hotel Sirolo

Importance of Church of Saint Nicholas of Bari

by deecat

Since our Bed and Breakfast was quite close to the church of Saint Nicholas of Bari, we were around it a good deal. On Saturday afternoon (late) when we arrived in Sirolo there was a great deal of commotion going on around the Church. Parents were picking up children of all ages. I'm not for sure if they were in actual school (Children in Italy do go to school on Saturday) or if it was a church function.

Sunday morning early, there were people outside selling flowers as a money-making situation (for the church). I also noticed, with a smile on my face, that in Sirolo, young families as well as the older people were attending church. (That has not always been true in other Italian cities that we have visited).

An interesting tidbit: Behind the Bell tower which is beside the Church of Saint Nicholas is a lower level with a very nice public restroom that is run by the church. It is actually free, but a man sits there with a basket, and the sign suggests donation which will help the church!

The 3 Photographs:
1. The Church of Saint Nicholas and the Bell Tower.

2. Fathers after church on Sunday walking with their toddlers.

3. On Saturday, children milling around the church and parents picking them up from school, I assume. The most important religious building in Sirolo is the parish church of Saint Nicholas of Bari which overlooks the main square. It was built between the 13th and 18th centuries, and the locals call it the "church of Saint Nicholas", who, by the way, is the patron saint of Sirolo.

The Church of Saint Nicholas stands between the parsonage and the bell tower. It looks as though the bell tower kind of supports the church. This bell tower is probably the most important architectual feature on this square. The facade is in Baroque style (stepped capitals and the gable above the cornice). It's built entirely in brick, and the interior has a single nave. It opens onto six side chapels and an apse with a portrait of Sain Nicholas. The inside is simple but elegant.

great hiltop town over the sea

by edwis

"From Mogliano"

we did ½ day adventures to several hilltop towns, seaside resort towns, and even hiked for 2 hours in a natural reserve park atop Mont Conero. We were up so high that the clouds blocked the view of the sea below. But the trail, we discovered after the walk, is intermediate hiking with rocky paths, steep inclines/declines and the need for hiking boots. We were so tired out that we took a ½ mile path down the cliff to the beach area of Sirolo, which looked inviting. We finally made it, swam and slept under beach umbrellas, before trying the dreaded hike back up to the car. About one block in the climb, a city bus appears to take beach goers back to the city. We were so thankful.