Parish Church of Saint Stefano

Pieve Santo Stefano, Lucca

The parish church of Santo Stefano, in the locality of the same name, arose during the 12^th century in a dominant position over the territories subjected to it and over the remains of a small early Christian church, as evidenced by the dedication to the typical proto-martyr of many early medieval foundations. This dating back to the 12^th century suggests the remaining medieval structures - the north side and the apse with three mullioned windows, built with square sandstone ashlars - and the documentation of the time: in fact it testifies to a particular prestige which the institution had to enjoy in that era, when the parish priest of Santo Stefano was even called upon to settle a dispute between the parish church of Camaiore and the cathedral chapter of Lucca. The medieval building must have already had the current plan with three naves - probably divided by pillars, as in many of the parishes in the territory of the diocese of Lucca - but the church underwent considerable expansion in the 16^th century, during which the three-arched portico still existing today was added to the facade. Two centuries later, towards the end of the eighteenth century, it was the interior that was completely redesigned, assuming the current appearance with three naves divided by plastered pillars; the vaulted ceiling houses a decoration from the early 20^th century. The bell tower still retains the structure and the medieval masonry, placed on the northern side towards the apse area. One of the most important works by Zacchia da Vezzano comes from the church, the Madonna between saints Rocco and Sebastiano, now preserved in the National Museum of Villa Guinigi and dated to the third decade of the 16^th century. The altarpiece was replaced in the church by a copy of Michele Ridolfi, a Lucchese painter of the first half of the nineteenth century. A precious 16^th century organ is still present in the church.