Basilica di Santo Stefano Maggiore, Milan, Italy

Basilica di Santo Stefano Maggiore was established in the 5th century. Originally dedicated to both Saint Zechariah and Saint Stephen, it was later dedicated to Saint Stephen only. Throughout its history, has undergone several reconstructions, expansion and restoration.

The original church building was built around the year 417 on the initiative of the future bishop Martinianus. It was destroyed by fire in 1070 and it was rebuilt in romanesque style in 1075.

On 26 December 1476 it was the site of the assassination of Duke Galeazzo Maria Sforza, who had come to the basilica for the celebration of the patron saint. On 30 September 1571 in Santo Stefano was baptized the painter Michelangelo Merisi, better known as Caravaggio.

Since 1594 the church underwent a series of interventions, including enlargement of the apse and of the main altar in the early 17th century.

The church preserved the bodies of saints Martinianus, Ausanus and Mansuetus, archbishops of Milan, in 1988 translated to the Milan Cathedral. St. Charles Borromeo also translated here the bodies of saints Leo, Arsazius, Marinus, Mammes and Agapetus.

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User Reviews

Nikolett Ábel (5 months ago)
Beautiful church, it has some spots that needs to be done, but you can look through those and just be amazed that building by itself.

Rider On Foot (15 months ago)
The Basilica of Santo Stefano Maggiore is an ancient church in Milan. Initially dedicated to the prophet San Zaccaria, it was then dedicated to Saint Stephen in the 10th century. In its history it has undergone numerous reconstruction, expansion and restoration interventions. It is also called Santo Stefano in Brolo (from the historical name of the area) or Santo Stefano alla Porta (in reference to the poster of Santo Stefano, which no longer exists).

Maria Ngo (2 years ago)
A very big and beautifully designed church with beautiful stained glass windows and paintings hung on chains along both sides of the nave as well as ornately decorated ceiling.

Kristýna Vacardová (2 years ago)
It's a fine church, but don't expect anything breathtaking. Needs to be restored. If you don't have enough time, it's probably okay to miss this one.

Aisha Ali (2 years ago)
Amazing so gothic and authentic I was shocked to see this church I’ve never seen anything like it so unique and a must go !!

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Following the Reformation, the church was transformed into a parish church for the town of Visby. All other churches were abandoned. Shortly after the Reformation, in 1572, Gotland was made into its own Diocese, and the church designated its cathedral.

There is not much left of the original interior. The font is made of local red marble in the 13th century. The pulpit was made in Lübeck in 1684. There are 400 graves under the church floor.

Basilica di Santo Stefano Maggiore

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