Santo Stefano di Sessano, church building in Chiaverano, Italy

Santo Stefano di Sessano is a Romanesque church built in the 11th century, standing on a hill overlooking Chiaverano with stone walls, small windows, and a distinctive bell tower. The interior contains three sections beneath a wooden beam roof, with faded frescoes on the walls and an apse decorated with geometric patterns and depictions of the four Evangelists.

Santo Stefano di Sessano was built in the 11th century as the church of the village of Sessano, which stood on the rocky foreland east of Chiaverano. The village was abandoned by the 13th century, possibly after a landslide, and the church is all that remains of it. The sacristy beside the apse was added after 1782.

The name Santo Stefano refers to Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr, depicted prominently in the apse. The church served as a spiritual center for the people of the old village of Sessano and remains a quiet testament to their religious life and community identity.

The church is accessible during daytime hours for visitors to explore, with an automated guide system providing information about its history and artworks. It is recommended to check the 'Chiese a porte aperte' app to verify opening times and plan visits in advance.

The bell tower stands in the centre of the façade and is crossed by a passage giving access to the interior, a solution called clocher porche. It is rare in Italy but recurs in Canavese Romanesque architecture, with comparable examples at Settimo Vittone, Bollengo, Pecco and Lugnacco.