Sant'Agostino

Sant'Agostino, known locally as Chiesa di Sant'Agostino, stands as a testament to Modugno’s rich historical and cultural tapestry. Nestled between Via Tagliamento and Via Veneto, this church has evolved from a modest 16th-century chapel into a vibrant parish, embodying centuries of religious devotion and architectural evolution.

The History of Sant'Agostino

The origins of Sant'Agostino date back to the 16th century, when it was initially a private chapel dedicated to Santa Maria delle Grazie, belonging to the noble Faenza family. This chapel was strategically located outside the city walls, in an area known as Porta Staccata. On March 17, 1591, Maria Faenza generously donated the land surrounding the chapel to the Augustinian Fathers, who established their presence in Modugno on October 14, 1593. This move was orchestrated by noble families from Lombardy who had relocated to the region alongside Isabella of Aragon and Bona Sforza.

The Augustinians, following the rule of St. Augustine, replaced the Dominicans in the religious life of Modugno. This transition was marked by the change of the town's patron saint from St. Peter Martyr, a Dominican friar, to St. Nicholas of Tolentino, an Augustinian friar. On March 18, 1618, Bishop Pietro Pitar of Mileto consecrated the new church, which incorporated the original Faenza chapel and was annexed to the Augustinian convent.

However, the 19th century brought significant changes. On February 13, 1807, following a law enacted by King Joseph Bonaparte of Naples, the chapel and convent were transferred to the royal domain and subsequently to the Municipality of Modugno. In 1820, the property was entrusted to the charitable organization Sacro Monte di Pietà to establish a hospital, leading to the church's gradual decline.

In the mid-20th century, Archbishop Marcello Mimmi sought to create a new parish in Modugno. Despite initial setbacks, the abandoned complex was finally ceded to the Archdiocesan Chapter in 1950, who restored it and established the Parish of Sant'Agostino on December 2, 1950, with Don Biagio Trentadue as its first parish priest. The restoration, completed in 1967, transformed both the facade and interior, including the conversion of the Madonna delle Grazie chapel into a sacristy.

Exploring Sant'Agostino

Visitors to Sant'Agostino are greeted by a facade that speaks volumes of its historical significance. The rectangular wooden portal, inscribed with the year 1858, is topped by a triangular pediment featuring a bas-relief of the Madonna delle Grazie with the Child and the date 1609. The architrave showcases the coats of arms of Modugno and the Faenza family, a bas-relief of St. Augustine, and a Latin inscription: AUGUSTINUS LUX DOCTORUM – FIRMAMENTUM ECCLESIE (Augustine, light of the doctors – pillar of the church). Above this architectural ensemble is a bust of Ecce Homo in a small niche with a shell-shaped vault.

The facade is further adorned with a large rectangular window framed by richly decorated foliage bands, crafted by local artisans Giovanni Colella and Tonno de Attolico, and Altamura craftsmen Stefano de Piscioia and Scipione Cagnazzi. To the left of the building stands a bell tower with a double arch, and to the left of the church entrance, one can glimpse the cloister of the former convent.

The Interior of Sant'Agostino

The church's interior is a single nave with a barrel-vaulted ceiling. The right side features four noble chapels, while the left side boasts four large arches. The interior is lavishly decorated with stuccoes depicting various vegetal and angelic motifs, created in 1721 by Neapolitan artist Maurizio D'Alesio. The choir and organ structure, dating from the 18th century, add to the church's grandeur.

The first chapel, under the patronage of the Stella family, is dedicated to St. Nicholas of Tolentino and houses a wooden statue crafted in 1785 by Andrian sculptor Arcangelo Spirdicchio. The baroque Lecce-style altar, commissioned in 1716 by Giuseppe Stella, is adorned with twisted columns and cherubs, created by Lecce artist Pasquale Simone.

The second chapel, originally dedicated to the Nativity of Jesus by the Scarli family, is now dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes, featuring a grotto with a small statue of Our Lady of Lourdes, created by Fedele Marrano of Giovinazzo in 1954. The third chapel, under the patronage of the Scura family, was dedicated to the Pietà, with walls adorned with paintings of St. Francis of Paola, commissioned in 1707 by the Risotti family.

The fourth chapel, originally dedicated to Our Lady of Grace and the first chapel of the 16th century belonging to the Faenza family, was transformed into a sacristy during the 1950s renovation. On the left side, the four arches contain various artworks, including a wooden crucifix, the coat of arms of the Grandi family, an 18th-century Byzantine-style painting of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the Scura family coat of arms, a gilded wooden altar dedicated to the Sacred Heart, a 16th-century painting of St. Augustine, and a 17th-century painting of St. Charles Borromeo.

The Organ and Cantoria

Behind the main altar, the choir houses a Neapolitan positive organ built in 1718 and restored in 2003 by organ maker Nicola Canosa. This mechanical transmission instrument features a 45-key keyboard with a short octave and an eight-pedal pedalboard without its own registers, constantly coupled to the keyboard.

In conclusion, Sant'Agostino in Modugno is not just a place of worship; it is a living museum of art, history, and faith. Its walls echo the stories of noble families, religious orders, and the community's unwavering devotion, making it a must-visit for anyone exploring the rich cultural heritage of Modugno.