St. Stephen, church building in Villanders, South Tyrol, Italy

St. Stephen is the parish church of Villanders, above Klausen in the Eisack Valley. The late Gothic nave and choir were built from 1517 to 1521, while the Romanesque tower was raised and given a pointed spire, reaching 59.8 m. The neo-Gothic high altar was made in 1884 after a design by Josef Schmid, with carvings by Anton Kob; the side altars date from 1903.

A Romanesque church was first mentioned in 1200; its tower, up to the first round-arched sound windows, survives in the present building. The late Gothic nave and choir were built between 1517 and 1521, probably by Benedikt Weibhauser, while the tower was raised to 59.8 m. On 5 March 1900 sparks from a burning barn set the tower and nave roofs alight; the vaults held, and the parish restored the church almost entirely with donations.

The parish is dedicated to Saint Stephen, whose stoning is shown in the baroque panel painting by Franz Sebald Unterberger (1706–1776), kept in the priest's choir. The cemetery beside the church is known for wrought-iron grave crosses turned away from the graves. Six Renaissance stained-glass panels of about 1525 show the mining patrons Daniel and Barbara, the miners' coat of arms and two scenes of their work.

The church stands in the village centre of Villanders, above Klausen in the Eisack valley; the tower rises 59.8 m and is visible from the valley road. The interior is entered from the valley side, and the cemetery with its wrought-iron crosses lies alongside. The old sacristy discovered in 1891 beneath the present one is not accessible.

A stained glass artwork from around 1520 depicts the miners of Villandro, recalling the region's important mining history. This rare portrayal of workers in a church reflects the close connection between faith and craftwork in village life.