Basilica of Santo Stefano - Alma Living Bologna

The churches

Basilica of Santo Stefano – The Seven Churches

The Basilica of Santo Stefano is Bologna’s most unusual complex of religious buildings. It overlooks the square of the same name and is best known as the “Seven Churches”, because it is made up of several buildings erected in different periods. The surrounding square is paved almost entirely with cobblestones, where the tables of many cafés and restaurants are set out. Despite numerous alterations, restorations and rebuildings, it still shows a strong stylistic consistency that makes it the most interesting Romanesque monument in the city. Three neatly aligned churches face the square. The first, starting from the right, is the largest: the Church of the Crucifix, of Lombard origin. The second, and the oldest, is the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (or Basilica of Calvary), which stands out from the others for its polygonal shape. Finally, on the left is the smallest church, the Basilica of Saints Vitale and Agricola. In the centre of the doorway of the Church of the Crucifix there is a white cross flanked by the inscription “Sancta Sanctorum” and a hand symbolising the creative word of God. On the right, an inscription bears witness to the presence of a temple dedicated to the Egyptian goddess Isis. The complex is completed by the Church of the Trinity, rebuilt between the 12th and 13th centuries, Pilate’s Courtyard, the Benedictine Cloister (outdoor spaces) and the Santo Stefano Museum.

History

The Basilica of Santo Stefano is a place full of curiosities, having served many different purposes over its history. It was once a cemetery, where Saint Ambrose found the remains of the martyrs Saint Vitalis and Saint Agricola. In Roman times it was a pagan temple dedicated to the goddess Isis, and it was also the heart of religious life for the Lombards throughout their settlement in Bologna.
Its origins are shrouded in mystery, with legends claiming it was founded by Saint Petronius in the 5th century on the site of the very temple of Isis. The whole complex is thought to have been conceived as a symbolic reconstruction of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Initially, it consisted of the four main churches. The Romanesque period, from the 10th to the 13th century, was a time of great transformation. The churches underwent major extensions and restorations, largely taking on the Romanesque appearance that still distinguishes them today. Pilate’s Courtyard was added, with its stone basin in which, according to tradition, Pontius Pilate washed his hands.
Over the centuries, the complex continued to evolve. Further churches and chapels were added, although the number “seven” is more symbolic than an exact count of the buildings.
During the Middle Ages, it became an important Benedictine monastic centre. Its history has been marked by looting, fires and rebuilding, but it has always kept its role as a place of worship and as a guardian of important relics.

STAY IN THE HEART OF BOLOGNA

Plan your stay in Bologna now

Choose the ideal apartment based on availability and your needs

Visit the official website of this attraction for more information