Point of interest

The small Romanesque church of San Nicolò, together with the Dogana Veneta, surround the town’s Porto Vecchio, making it one of the must-see attractions in the municipality of Lazise. The parish church, dedicated to San Nicolò, protector of sailors and fishermen, is an example of Romanesque style and dates back to the end of the 12th century.

Over the centuries, the church has undergone several changes. Following the earthquake of 1117 and a fire, parts such as the apse of the bell tower were destroyed and later rebuilt. There was also a portico between the church and the customs house where notarial acts, necessary for the customs’ business activities, were drawn up. The portico was demolished in 1792 as the place had become storage of fishing nets and a shelter for abandoned animals. In 1879 cardinal Luigi di Canossa decreed the closure of the church due to its deterioration and it was not until 1953 that it was reopened for worship.

During the restoration work, various parts of frescoes from different Renaissance periods came to light. One such example is the oil painting on canvas behind the altar and another, the Byzantine-style Madonna in the outer tabernacle, a gift from the Tabasini family to the Brotherhood of St Nicholas. In May 2017, further restoration work was commissioned with the aim of restoring the church to its former glory. It was completed in August 2020.