Complesso di Santo Stefano (St. Stephen's Complex), Bologna (must see)
Navigating through this ecclesiastical maze, a pilgrimage through Bologna's holiest sites, demands patience and time. Originally a complex of seven churches, akin to Jerusalem's architecture, it is known as Le Sette Chiese ("the Seven Churches"), though only four endure today. Dating back to the 5th century, Santo Stefano may have been established by Bishop Petronius as his cathedral atop a former pagan temple site; by the 10th century, however, it evolved into a Benedictine sanctuary. The complex is still overseen by stern Benedictines, one of whom reveals: "Dante often came here to meditate in 1287, but we are inclusive - even local prostitutes come here."
The interconnected churches and courtyards, including the Benedictine cloisters, create a harmonious ensemble. From the picturesque square, the larger church on the right is the Church of the Crucifix ("Chiesa del Crocifisso"), the central one is the Basilica of "San Sepolcro", modeled after Jerusalem's Holy Sepulchre, and on the left stands Santi Vitale e Agricola, Bologna's oldest church.
Enter through the Church of the Crucifix, originally Lombard but extensively renovated. Ascend a central staircase to the Presbytery, then descend to a graceful crypt housing relics of early Bolognese martyrs Vitale and Agricola. A door on the left leads to the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre, a unique polygonal structure surrounded by ancient columns.
Bathed in mystical light, the 11th-century Santi Vitale e Agricola captivates with its Romanesque Lombard simplicity. Adjacent is Pilate's Courtyard ("Cortile di Pilato"), featuring a marble basin erroneously attributed to Pontius Pilate, while beyond lies the mysterious Martyrium, a transverse church illuminated by niches, including one displaying a sculpted scene by Bolognese artist Simone de' Crocifissi.
The peaceful Benedictine cloister features two tiers of loggias and houses a small museum of early Bolognese paintings and reliquaries, along with a shop offering liqueurs and lotions produced by the monks.
The interconnected churches and courtyards, including the Benedictine cloisters, create a harmonious ensemble. From the picturesque square, the larger church on the right is the Church of the Crucifix ("Chiesa del Crocifisso"), the central one is the Basilica of "San Sepolcro", modeled after Jerusalem's Holy Sepulchre, and on the left stands Santi Vitale e Agricola, Bologna's oldest church.
Enter through the Church of the Crucifix, originally Lombard but extensively renovated. Ascend a central staircase to the Presbytery, then descend to a graceful crypt housing relics of early Bolognese martyrs Vitale and Agricola. A door on the left leads to the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre, a unique polygonal structure surrounded by ancient columns.
Bathed in mystical light, the 11th-century Santi Vitale e Agricola captivates with its Romanesque Lombard simplicity. Adjacent is Pilate's Courtyard ("Cortile di Pilato"), featuring a marble basin erroneously attributed to Pontius Pilate, while beyond lies the mysterious Martyrium, a transverse church illuminated by niches, including one displaying a sculpted scene by Bolognese artist Simone de' Crocifissi.
The peaceful Benedictine cloister features two tiers of loggias and houses a small museum of early Bolognese paintings and reliquaries, along with a shop offering liqueurs and lotions produced by the monks.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Bologna. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Complesso di Santo Stefano (St. Stephen's Complex) on Map
Sight Name: Complesso di Santo Stefano (St. Stephen's Complex)
Sight Location: Bologna, Italy (See walking tours in Bologna)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Bologna, Italy (See walking tours in Bologna)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Bologna, Italy
Create Your Own Walk in Bologna
Creating your own self-guided walk in Bologna is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
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Archeological discoveries indicate the area has been settled since the third millennium BC. First, the Etruscans settled the area, then the Celts, and then the Romans. During the Middle Ages, Bologna was a free municipality... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Archeological discoveries indicate the area has been settled since the third millennium BC. First, the Etruscans settled the area, then the Celts, and then the Romans. During the Middle Ages, Bologna was a free municipality... view more
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Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.8 Km or 0.5 Miles