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Church of St Stephen in Selci: the millenary guardian and the legend of the plague
On a hill just outside Selci stands the Church of Santo Stefano. It is the oldest church in Selci, a building of Romanesque origin dating back to the 11th century, later rebuilt in 1945. Its fame is tied to the legend of the plague, a tale of miraculous protection that gave rise to a deep local devotion, and left an indelible mark on the church's history.
The miracle that diverted the contagion
According to popular tradition, an infected traveller was stopped by the saint at this very spot. The details of the legend vary. One version has it that Stephen persuaded him to turn back; another, more curious account, claims he misled him with false directions to protect the village from the contagion.
From parish church to country chapel
Before the 14th century, this was the village’s parish church. Later, the noble Cesi family established a Chaplaincy here to allow local farmworkers to attend religious services. Traces of its important past are everywhere: inside, the ancient columns of oriental granite are still clearly visible.
The feast of 3 August
As a token of gratitude, Selci chose St Stephen as its patron saint. The feast on 3 August celebrates the "finding", from the Latin invenio, of his relics. The date was chosen as it was after harvesting. In the past, celebrations included a dawn procession and a traditional evening horse race.
For information on opening hours and religious services, please contact the parish.
