Pieve di Santo Stefano

The Church of Santo Stefano is the main place of worship in Palazzuolo sul Senio. Of ancient origin, the church has undergone several transformations over the centuries, especially in the 18th century and later with restorations at the beginning of the 20th century and after the Second World War. For this reason, the building no longer retains its original structure, but presents itself with an eclectic architecture that combines different styles and periods. One of the most significant decorative interventions dates back to 1936, when the painter and ceramist Tito Chini, belonging to the famous family of Tuscan decorators and ceramists, designed some of the internal decorations. The apse and the arches of the nave were also embellished with decorations made by the Fornaci San Lorenzo, a historic Florentine workshop specialized in ceramics and artistic glass. Of particular value is the polychrome stained glass window dedicated to Santo Stefano, also a work of the Fornaci San Lorenzo. The saint is depicted in a hieratic position, with stones on his head, a symbol of the martyrdom suffered by stoning, an iconographic element that allows for immediate identification. The interior of the church houses an interesting pictorial heritage, with works dating between the 16th and 19th centuries. Among these stand out: "The Marriage of Saint Catherine": an oil on canvas of Florentine origin, created between the late 16th and early 17th centuries; "Madonna and Child, Saint Dominic and Saint Peter Martyr": attributed to a Florentine painter from the early 17th century; "The Visitation": a work from the second half of the 17th century. These paintings were assigned to the church in the post-war period by the Superintendence for Artistic and Historical Heritage of Florence, as evidence of the importance of the place of worship as a custodian of the historical-artistic heritage of the community. Despite undergoing numerous renovations, the Church of Santo Stefano has always maintained a strong connection with local spirituality and culture. It has been the religious reference point for the community of Palazzuolo over the centuries, going through periods of prosperity and difficulties, such as the devastations of the Second World War, which required significant restoration interventions. Thanks to the presence of Tito Chini's decorations and the works of the Fornaci San Lorenzo, the church now represents a rare example of fusion between traditional sacred art and decorative innovation of the 20th century.

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