Ottana - San Nicola

Ottana was the center of a diocese between 1112 and 1503. San Nicola, now a parish church, was a cathedral once.

The church, placed on a hill, was erected on foundations of an older byzantine structure within the first half 12th century from black trachyt slabs. San Nicola was built on a "Tau Cross" floor plan, so seen here to the right is the transept-arm.

In 1912 a parchment was found, hidden under the main altar, describing and dating the consecration performed by "Zacharias Episcopus" in 1160.