The mountain Church of San Nicola has very ancient roots. It seems that the first construction goes back to the 6th century A.D., to 525: it is the Paleo-Christian Church of Sanctus Nicolaus, which was in the hands of the fathers of Greek-Byzantine religion. After 1050 it was abandoned and fell into ruin. Was in 1600 (Aragonese period) that the Count Serra, become owner of Uta’s lands for the will of the Berengario-Carroz family, did his best to reconstruct the ancient Church of San Nicola.
The new Church was built exactly on the ruins of the Paleo-Christian one. It became soon destination of devotion and pilgrimage for the inhabitants of Uta but not only for them.
The time, the wars and numerous sacks had led to the destruction of this second Church too and for years have remained just few ruins.
La chiesa oggi
San Nicola’s Church is located at about 5 km from Uta, in the country zone called “Oasi San Nicola” because of the wonderful sight of nature and green that offers. It is thanks to the initiative and the passion, the devotion and the tenaciousness of an Uta’s family that has been possible to give life again to the Church of San Nicola. They let their land in favour of San Nicola, financed the cost for realizing the work and involved the population of Uta until the initiative become concrete: in 1993 started the works that finished after few years.
The Church of San Nicola has been consecrated on 30 June 2001 by the archbishop of Cagliari Monsignor Ottorino Alberti with a solemn ceremony. The Church, because of bureaucratic problems and requirements of space, do not keep the original position (the old Church was opposite the new gate). In the actual Church it is possible to admire the simulacrum of San Nicola and the ancient statue of the XVII century that belonged to the earl Serra and jealously guarded by him. After his death the statue was preserved with care by his heirs and by them was gently given on the occasion of the reconstruction of the Church.
The simulacrum appears damaged in several parts, it seems because of the continue incursions of the Muslims; It is told that expert Florentine restorers have renounce to restore it so that it did not lose the signs of the time and its history.
Celebrations
Now the celebrations are done in the last week of June in the Oasis of San Nicola: it is celebrated the Holy Mass and the people participate to light music’s shows and folk shows and they can also listen to polyphonic chorus.
The Saint
In the East and in other countries San Nicola bishop was one of the most loved and popular Saints of the Christian world. He is invocated as protector of sailors, craftsmen, travellers, prisoners, oppressed, single women and children. He is the patron saint of many cities.