Bologna - Basilica di Santo Stefano

The "Basilica di Santo Stefano" known as "Sette Chiese" (= "Seven Churches") encompasses a complex of interconnected religious edifices, erected between the 5th and the 13th century.

According to tradition Saint Petronius, a bishop during the 5th century, built the first basilica. He actually wished a building that recalled the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

This church got severely damaged during the invasions of Hungarian troops in the tenth century. A century later Benedictian monks rebuilt the complex.

"Sette Chiese" is like a labyrinth, built around two cloisters. I followed a sign to the "Chiesa Madonna di Loreto" and was very was surprised, when I entered. The 14th century chapel is an Air Force Memorial.