Luogosanto, Santo Stefano Church

The church is located in the town of Santu Stevanu.
The church of Santo Stefano is located about 2 km north-east of the town of Luogosanto, near the ruins of the so-called Palazzo di Baldu. It consists of a single oriented nave, without an apse. The plan and structure date back to the 17th or 18th century, but it is likely that it was built on the ruins of a previous sacred building, probably the parish church of the settlement known as Sent Steva and Santu Stevanu. The church was renovated in 1995. Its current appearance is the one common to the many rural churches of Gallura.

History of studies
The area of the so-called Palazzo di Baldu was the subject, in 1999, of consolidation and archaeological excavation (scientific direction Daniela Rovina and assistance by Andrea Coletti). The investigations resumed in 2001 and 2002 (scientific direction by Angela Antona and assistance by Fabio Pinna). During the 2001-2002 excavation campaign, no archaeological interventions were carried out in the sector near the church.

Bibliography by
F. Fresi, “Gallura”, in The Churches in the Green: Rural Religious Architectures in the Province of Sassari, edited by M. Brigaglia, Sassari, Chiarella, 1995, pp. 125-143;
S. Pirisinu, “Repertoire”, in The Churches in the Green: Rural Religious Architectures in the Province of Sassari, edited by M. Brigaglia, Sassari, Chiarella, 1995, pp. 158-189; M. Scampuddu, Pays de Gallura.
Holy Place: History and Images, Sassari, 1996;
F. Pinna, “A medieval village in the heart of Gallura”, in Gallura Almanacco, 10, 2002-03, pp. 77-84;
F. Pinna, “Holy Place, archaeological excavations in the area of the Palace of Baldu”, in Aristeo, I, 2004, pp. 319-321; F. Pinna, “Spatial organization and commercial relations of a medieval town in Gallura.
Note on archaeological excavations in the area of the 'Palace of Baldu' (Holy Place)”, in Actes du 128e Congrés du CTHS. Relations, échanges, et coopération en Méditerranée. Études Corses, 60, septembre 2005, pp. 85-103.

How to get
From Tempio Pausania take the SS 133 to Luogosanto, from here take the road to Arzachena, travel it for about one km, then turn onto the road following the specific signs.