St Stephan Oratory, Lentate sul Seveso

St Stephan Oratory is a two-story brick building in Gothic style with a single nave accessed by stairs on the right side of the facade. The structure sits next to San Vito Martire parish church in the town center.

Construction began in 1369 under Stefano Porro, an ambassador to the Visconti court who received the title of palatine count from Emperor Charles IV. His founding of this building reflected the political influence he held in the region during that period.

The walls display a series of frescoes showing the life of Saint Stephen, painted by local artists of the 14th century. These images told the saint's story in a visual language that ordinary people could understand and remember.

The oratory sits beside the parish church on Piazza San Vito and is easy to reach on foot from the town center. Since it is a historic building with limited access, visitors should check opening times and conditions before planning a visit.

The interior displays rare evidence of late-Gothic International style art in Lombardy, a broader European movement that influenced local painters. Years of moisture damage have repeatedly affected these wall paintings, making their preservation an ongoing challenge.

Location: Lentate sul Seveso

Inception: 1369

Website: http://comune.lentatesulseveso.mb.it/Articoli/Il-Nostro-Paese/Monumenti/517-258%5EOratorio-di-Santo-Stefano.asp?ID=258

GPS coordinates: 45.67846,9.12213

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:43