Pieve di Santo Stefano Vallecchia

The parish church of Santo Stefano di Versilia is a church of Romanesque origin located in Vallecchia, a hamlet of the municipality of Pietrasanta. Like all parish churches, it is located along the Via Francigena, which passes right in front of its facade. The bell tower is located on the right and its renovation dates back to the first decade of the 21st century. The first information on the parish is found in a document dated 881 AD, and later in the papal bulls, where the small church is generically called Pieve di Versilia, and only after several years does it establish itself as the parish of Vallecchia. The foundations of the complex date back to the 8th century AD, while the current architecture dates back to the 11th century. History The Versilia territory had been fortified as a border garrison of the Byzantine dominion. After the conquest of Rotari it became an integral part of the Duchy of Lucca, and it was from here that the Lombards gradually took control of the entire coast. The area, which was often the scene of wars between Lucca and Pisa, became stable only many years when it passed to Pietrasanta, with the consequent annexation to the Florentine state, which occurred in the 14th century. The church has undergone continuous restoration due to earthquakes, floods or wars. The oldest parts were built using local marble from Mount Solaio as raw material, while the latest reconstruction works were carried out following the Second World War. Architecture The building, with three naves with the central one ending with a semicircular apse, was built on a subsequently fenced-off area which includes the parish house and the bell tower. Of great importance is the facade of the church, which has an important entrance portal in the center, surmounted by a neoclassical marble rose window, flanked on both sides by two more discreet doors.