The Church of Santo Stefano

The church of Santo Stefano, in Genoa

The church of Santo Stefano is one of the most surprising Romanesque churches of Genoa, with its facing of marble and slate. The Genoa audio-guided tour stops here, with respect, to evoke this building raised between the tenth and the thirteenth century by Benedictine monks, with its two-colour façade and its bell tower of former watchtower, where Christopher Columbus would have been baptised.

History

To accompany the cathedral San Lorenzo, Genoa possesses a collection of churches with remarkable architectural heritage, like the church of Santo Stefano. Raised between the tenth and the thirteenth century at the request of Benedictine monks, it had as its first aim to evangelise the eastern part of the city. According to the angle, it may seem summary, even unpromising; yet, it is considered one of the most surprising Romanesque churches of Genoa. To go around it or approach its main façade helps to understand this: you discover then its two-colour facing of marble and slate, characteristic of the religious buildings of the region, its single pointed portal decorated with columns with finely sculpted Corinthian capitals, and its slender bell tower, memory of its former role of watchtower. Inside, stripped and bathed in a measured light, the atmosphere invites to contemplation. Our interest awakens most particularly on learning that Christopher Columbus would have been baptised there: the baptismal font where the rite would have taken place is still there. You will visit this place of prayer with respect.

What to see

Here you admire, in contemplation, one of the most surprising Romanesque churches of Genoa, raised between the tenth and the thirteenth century by Benedictines; its two-colour facing of marble and slate, its pointed portal and its bell tower of former watchtower distinguish it, and Christopher Columbus would have been baptised there. The church of Santo Stefano is a place of prayer, to be visited with respect. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The church of Santo Stefano stands in the eastern part of the centre of Genoa, reachable on foot. It is a place of worship in activity, whose access is made in the respect of the services and of contemplation; the hours of visit vary. It is best to enquire before coming and to adopt correct attire.

What link does the church of Santo Stefano of Genoa have with Christopher Columbus?

According to tradition, Christopher Columbus would have been baptised there, and the baptismal font where the rite would have taken place is still preserved there; raised between the tenth and the thirteenth century by Benedictines, it is one of the most surprising Romanesque churches of Genoa, recognisable by its two-colour facing of marble and slate and by its bell tower of former watchtower.

Where is the church of Santo Stefano in Genoa?

In the eastern part of the centre of Genoa, in Italy.