Basilica santuario Santo Stefano - Complesso delle sette chiese — Attraction in Bologna

Free entrance to all 7 churches including museum. Centrally located. Must visit in Bologna. 7 churches in one. they also offer a complete guide pamphlet for 2€. ( detailed description of each chapel, crypt, museum and church) Best money spent.

The history of the Basilica of Santo Stefano (which probably stands on the remains of an ancient pagan temple, perhaps dedicated to the mysterious cult of the goddess Isis) has its origins in one of the most important events that mark the life of the first Bolognese Christian community: in the year 393 the Bolognese bishop Eustasio, in the presence of St. Ambrose, found the bodies of Vitale and Agricola, the first known martyrs in Bologna, in a Jewish cemetery. The Bolognese church thus became aware of its first martyrs who had testified to their faith with death. The martyrs' bodies were exhumed from the small cemetery and moved to the Stephenian complex to expose them to the veneration of Christians.

In the mid-fifth century S. Petronio, the great work and personality of bishop contributed to the maturation of the autonomy of the church of Bologna from that of Milan and Ravenna, gave impetus to the expansion of the complex with new buildings which, due to their conformation, dedication and reciprocal position had to remember the Holy Places of Jerusalem: it now seems certain that the tradition that makes Saint Stephen the Jerusalem Bononiensis, the place that testifies to the origins of the Christian faith, originates from this very ancient arrangement desired by S. Petronio and the origins of the Bolognese church, In cul the remains of the first martyrs of this community are preserved and where the same S. Petronio wanted to be buried (in fact his body was found here in 1141). Already in 887 the church of Santo Stefa was not known under the name of Jerusalem.

From this first nucleus developed, between the end of the 11th and the beginning of the 12th century, through the work of the Benedictine monks (their presence in Santo Stefano is documented since 983), the set of spaces symbolizing the complex of buildings desired in Jerusalem by the emperor Constantine Monomachus in 1048, according to the stories of the Crusaders returning from the Holy Land: Sepulcher, Pilate's Courtyard, Calvary, Cenacle and pol the flagellation column, the rooster of St. Peter and many other places that from Fifteenth century onwards they will change and enrich again with the evolution of popular devotions.

Inclusive must visit in one location:

CHURCH OF THE CRUCIFIX AND CRYPT

BASILICA OF THE HOLY SEPULCHER

CHURCH OF SANTI VITALE AND AGRICOLA COURTYARD OF PILATE

MARTYRIUM CHURCH

CLOISTER

CHURCH OF THE...

5-Star Must-See Gem in Bologna!

The Basilica Santuario Santo Stefano – Complesso delle Sette Chiese is an absolute marvel tucked into the heart of Bologna. This ancient complex, often referred to as the “Seven Churches,” offers a journey through centuries of history, architecture, and spiritual heritage—all seamlessly woven together in one breathtaking site.

🕊️ No Waiting, No Hassle One of the most delightful surprises? There’s no waiting queue. You can stroll right in and begin your exploration at your own pace. The tour route is clearly indicated, making it easy to navigate through each of the seven distinct spaces—from the solemn Chiesa del Crocifisso to the evocative Santo Sepolcro and the serene medieval cloister.

🎁 Free Entry to Timeless Beauty It’s almost unbelievable that such a rich and immersive experience is completely free. You’ll find yourself wandering through Romanesque crypts, admiring centuries-old sculptures, and soaking in the quiet reverence of sacred spaces—all without spending a cent.

📸 A Journey Through Time Whether you're a history buff, architecture lover, or simply a curious traveler, this site delivers. Each church has its own story, and together they form a spiritual and cultural tapestry that’s unlike anything else in Bologna.

✅ Final Verdict: 5 Stars This is a must-see destination. No crowds, no cost, and a beautifully curated path through one of Bologna’s most iconic landmarks. If you're in town, don’t miss it—it’s a soul-stirring experience that stays with you long...

La basilica di Santo Stefano (cîṡa ed San Stêven in bolognese) è un complesso di edifici di culto di Bologna. Si affaccia sull'omonima piazza ed è conosciuto anche come il complesso delle "Sette Chiese". Ha la dignità di basilica minore. Intorno al 100 d.C. fu costruito da una ricca matrona bolognese, sul luogo di una sorgente naturale dove oggi sorge la Basilica del Santo Sepolcro, un tempio pagano dedicato ad Iside, al cui centro era posto un colonnato circolare sorreggente un architrave anch'esso circolare. Nel 393 il vescovo di Milano Ambrosio scoprì nelle vicinanze le tombe dei primi martiri cristiani bolognesi, Vitale ed Agricola, morti nel 304, e probabilmente sorse un sacellum in loro devozione alla sinistra del tempietto di Iside (anche se non esistono prove a riguardo). Nel V secolo, entro il 450, il vescovo di Bologna Petronio vi costrui una chiesa con la forma e dimensione attuali come sua cattedrale o comunque Sacellulm ad Martyres intitolandola ai due martiri. La chiesa dei santi Vitale ed Agricola risale al IV secolo e conserva i sarcofagi dei due martiri. Contemporaneamente Petronio convertì il tempietto di Iside in battistero riconsacrando la sorgente naturale con un'ampolla di acqua del Giordano e scegliendolo come suo luogo di sepoltura. La tradizione indica quindi san Petronio come ideatore della basilica che avrebbe dovuto imitare il Santo Sepolcro di Gerusalemme. In una cella sormontata da un altare con pulpito, era situata la tomba di san Petronio. Nel 727 Liutprando, re dei Longobardi, invase la città e costruì, alla destra del Santo Sepolcro, la sua cattedrale o comunque una basilica prominente, intitolandola a San Giovanni Battista (oggi Chiesa del Crocifisso). Il complesso subì devastazioni durante la feroce invasione degli Ungari all'inizio del X secolo e venne in buona parte ricostruito dai monaci benedettini nei primissimi anni dell'XI secolo. In quest'occasione vennero anche costruiti la Chiesa de' Confessi (oggi Cripta della Chiesa del Corcifisso) per proteggere le reliquie dei santi Vitale ed Agricola, già in parte prelevate da Carlo Magno nel 786, il campanile e le costruzioni adiacenti, il cortile di Pilato e il Chiostro, nonché altri edifici del Monastero. Le origini degli edifici sono quindi molto antiche: la chiesa dei Santi Vitale ed Agricola risale al IV secolo, almeno come suo primo sacello oggi scomparso, la chiesa del Santo Sepolcro al V secolo, la chiesa del Crocifisso e il suo presbiterio sopraelevato all'VIII secolo, mentre la sua cripta, il Cortile di Pilato, il Chiostro e il Campanile...