Mother Church in Ferla
Vonvikken - CC3.0
The Mother Church of Ferla, dedicated to San Giacomo Maggiore Apostolo, stands in the main square of the town.
The current building was rebuilt in 1714 at the behest of the Marquis della Ferla, following the 1693 earthquake which destroyed the pre-existing church.
The building is characterized by impressive masonry supported by strong buttresses on the sides. The wall facing is made with squared ashlars of cut stone.
The facade has two distinct architectural orders, the first Doric and the second Ionic. The construction of the clock tower, built on a buttress on the north side, dates back to a later period than the construction of the church.
The interior, with a single nave, has three chapels on each side. The decorative apparatus of the stuccos and sculptures is in the Corinthian style.
Of particular value is an archive kept in the church which collects deeds, manuscripts and parchment documents starting from 1500.
Recent excavations have brought to light the nucleus of a Hellenistic necropolis within the perimeter of the church. During recent paving works in the square, Christian tombs were brought to light which document the persistence of an inhabited center on this site.
