Santo Stefano Church, Romanesque stone church in central Genoa, Italy.
Santo Stefano Church is a Romanesque stone building in central Genoa featuring a single nave with an elevated altar area. The structure has an octagonal dome that was rebuilt in brick during the 14th century as the original stonework deteriorated.
The church was consecrated in 972 and originally functioned as a Benedictine monastery staffed by monks from the Bobbio community. It transitioned to a parish church in 1431 when its monastic role ended.
The church is dedicated to Saint Stephen and displays elements from different periods of its use. The marble choir installed in 1497 and the architectural additions from various centuries reflect how the building evolved as a religious center.
The church sits on a hill next to Via XX Settembre, making it easy to locate and a useful reference point in the area. From this location, you can easily reach and explore other religious sites throughout Genua.
Beneath the altar area lies a crypt from the 6th century that originally belonged to a different church. This hidden layer reveals that the site held religious importance long before the current structure was built.
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