Santi Stefano e Niccolao

The Roman Catholic Church of Santi Stefano e Niccolò is located in Pescia, Tuscany, Italy. Its history dates back to an 11th-century church, with construction continuing until the 1300s. The scenographic baroque entry stairs were designed by Agostino Cornacchini, while the main portal was refurbished in the 13th century by Pietro Bernardini, featuring a pointed tympanum and flanking baroque-style Corinthian pilasters. The bell-tower also dates back to the 13th century. Inside the church, several altars and artworks are notable. The first right altar houses a venerated icon of the Virgin Mary covering her faithful with her cape, along with an image of the Marriage of Cannae by Benedetto Orsi. A wooden sculpture of the Virgin of the Annunciation (Madonna detta dell'Acquavino), attributed to Matteo Civitali, is displayed here as well. The second right altar features "La Visitazione" (1644) by Agostino Ciampelli, a pupil of Santi di Tito. Ciampelli also painted canvases depicting St. Sebastian and St. Michael Archangel flanking the altar. The third right altar displays a canvas of St. Peter in Chains by Alessandro Tiarini. The choir area includes a canvas of San Policronio and other saints, painted by Ercole Bazzicaluva, known for his engravings influenced by artists like Stefano della Bella. The altar of the Sacrament on the left side near the apse features "Raffaello e Tobiele" (Archangel Raphael and Tobias returning sight to Tobias' father) by Alessandro Bardelli. Nearby is a Virgin of the Annunciation attributed to Giovanni Battista Paggi, along with a canvas depicting Jesus changing ...