Basilica santuario Santo Stefano - Complesso delle sette chiese

A really set of old church building blended together. Its free (with a donation), has a museum and shop so definitely worth a visit. Its set in a pretty and small piazza. Check timings for entrance as part of it is a working church. Spend the time (1-2 hours) to walk around and take in the history, plus enjoy a coffee in the lovely piazza - before or after.

This is part of a larger complex of churches, it was very beautiful, I really enjoyed my time here. There’s lots to see, they have a little collection of holy artifacts displayed nicely, they also have a little crypt and a nice court yard. I would recommend visiting this lovely Basilica when I Bologna.

Beautiful Basilica in the heart of Bologna, which has more to offer than the eye can see at first sight. There is actually 7 different churches connected to each other from different historical periods. The entrance is completely free and you can enjoy a walk inside and understand the different church styles. This small tour is a must during your visit in Bologna

I did not research this place and entered it by chance. How surprised we were! Huge structure with many sectors to discover. The entrance is free, and it’s usually crowded. Worth a visit.

An amazing place to visit. Very impressive and Medieval. However , it’s more of a museum than a place of worship in comparison to what other churches and cathedrals offers in Bologna. But the spiritual vibration is still all over the old walls, even when you see tourists with their tiny shorts getting in!! 😐

Not very interesting. I only spent 15 minutes there.

The Basilica di Santo Stefano is a complex of seven ancient churches dating back to the 8th century.

According to tradition, Saint Petronius, bishop of Bologna during the 5th century, built the basilica over a temple of the goddess Isis.

One of the secrets and magnificent place in the heart of Bologona,
Mostly knows as “Complex of Seven Churches,” is a must see place to visit in Bologna, in fact there are different churches from different generation which melt together, it is located at Piazza Santo Stephano and absolutely worth a visit and you will not be disappointed.
We visited in the evening but I’ll definitely come back in the daylight to capture the scenes once more.

An amazing walk through history. This series of churches dates back to the 5th century. There may be more spectacular churches, but if you are in Bologna and care about history this is not to be missed.

A really very nice church both externally and internally. For those wondering, it's free, there is no entrance fee, like all the churches in Bologna

Very cool complex. I really liked Church of the Saints Vitale and Agricola the most, but the whole site is really serene and harmonious. Really worth a visit. Take your time and take in the atmosphere.

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 BENDA AND MUSEUM

I’m sure we have all seen lots of churches in Italy, but this one is cool and different with the 7 separate chapels that are all linked. It seems more like a historical site than church which I liked. And it is beautiful. Entrance is free and it’s a nice walk to get to it.

Beautiful church complex with calm and peaceful atmosphere. Entry is free. Well inside is a small gift shop and paid WC.

Located at Piazza Santo Stefano, where a few restaurants offer patio drinks and snacks in summer time, we visited the Basilica di Santo Stefano. The church is beautiful. What a treat to be able to walk inside a building that is over 1000 years old! It really reminds you how religious people were used to be. You can also purchase a medallion as a souvenir. Be mindful that it opens Tuesday to Sunday from 9.30 AM to 12.30 PM and 2.30 PM to 7 PM (closes at 6 PM in the winter). (July 2022)

Magnificiant place, entrance free of charge. Outside it looks smaller than it really is. You may find a lot of monuments, take a while and spend it on praying.

Located on Piazza Santo Stefano, it is locally known as Sette Chiese ("Seven Churches") and Santa Gerusalemme ("Holy Jerusalem"). It has the dignity of minor basilica.

Bigger than expected. 1000 years old in parts. Amazing bits of Roman found pieces. Free with donation option. Great way to spend time.

An exquisite corpse of a church. Go in expecting a typical basilica, but then you round a corner and find an even older church, and then an even older one. Closed at midday so check the hours.

Full of character. One of the oldest Catholic Church dating back 250AD with traces of pagan symbols.

Very nice, especially the first one, if only we knew each church what was it about.