A small 17th-century church
The Church of San Giuseppe stands on Via Francesco Salamone, in the historic centre of Nicosia, and was built in the 17th century. It faces a small churchyard closed off by an iron railing. In 1700, two stone statues depicting Faith and Hope were placed at the portal; on the left side of the façade rises a bell turret.
The interior and the works
The interior, modest in size, has a single nave and is covered by a painted wooden ceiling. It houses several works of interest, above all by Nicosian painters of the 17th and 18th centuries:
- the canvas of the Death of San Giuseppe, signed Nicolaus Mirabella Vicariensis pingebat anno 1612;
- a Madonna of the Rosary with San Domenico and Santa Caterina by the Nicosian Antonio Filingelli (17th century);
- the Vision of Santa Teresa d’Ávila by Giovanni Garigliano (Nicosian, died 1791);
- an Addolorata (Our Lady of Sorrows) by Nicolò Sauro of Nicosia, dated 1780.
Visiting
- Opening: on request and during celebrations; for access it is best to contact the Cathedral parish or the Town Tourism Office.
- Combine with: the historic-centre walking tour, which takes in several minor churches along the way.
Source
The historical and artistic information in this entry is drawn and summarised from the Church of San Giuseppe entry of the Ecomuseo Petra d’Asgotto in Nicosia (ecomuseonicosia.it), which is credited for documenting Nicosia’s sacred heritage.