Chiesa di San Nicolao, Monsummano

The church of San Nicolao is located in Monsummano Alto near Monsummano Terme.

The Romanesque church, documented from 1260 but attributable to the 12th century, is located within the castle of Montesommano. In ancient times it was suffragan of the pieve of San Pietro di Montecatini Alto. The status of pieve was suppressed in 1786.

The building has a single-nave plan with a trussed ceiling, while the apse, not visible from the outside because of the presence of the sacristy, follows a semicircular course. The essential facade, equipped with a portal with a pointed arch and a small eye above, was remodeled in the 17th century and is decorated in the crowning by the typically Pistoiese motif of the cornice supported by stone corbels. Inside, a wooden crucifix from the 14th-15th centuries is notable for particular artistic quality. The altars and sacristy date from the 17th-century reorganization. The baptismal font is from 1768.

On the right is the squat bell tower, formerly part of the castle's defensive system, which, as in other examples in the Valdinievole, is opened at the base by a vaulted passage. The terminal part is perhaps the result of work in the 17th century.

Next to the church is a separate small chapel with a bell gable, where a restaurant is now located.