A timeless echo of devotion, where faith and history intertwine beneath Byzantine domes

A Sacred Legacy of Faith, Art, and Augustinian Memory

In the heart of Reggio Calabria, just steps from lively Piazza Garibaldi, stands the Church of Saints Philip and James in Sant’Agostino. This spiritual landmark rises where an Augustinian convent once stood. The convent was lost in the catastrophic 1908 earthquake, yet its legacy lives on in this sacred space.

The church features three naves and follows a Romanesque-Byzantine style. Unlike other churches in the city, it has a rare and captivating design. Five domes of different sizes crown the building, marking the apse, the bell tower, and each nave. These domes create a striking silhouette that reflects centuries of devotion.

Historically, the parish has deep roots. It was officially registered as the Church of Saints Philip and James in 1783. That same year, another powerful earthquake destroyed the earlier structure. Later, it was rebuilt and merged with the new Sant’Agostino. Since then, the church has carried two names but one shared identity.

Inside, visitors discover a true artistic treasure. On the left nave, a painting of the Madonna della Cintura glows with grace. The 18th-century work by Sebastiano Conca links the church to Augustinian tradition. According to legend, the Madonna appeared in a dream to Saint Monica, the mother of Saint Augustine. In that vision, she wore a symbolic leather belt. Augustine later chose the same belt as the emblem of the religious order he founded.