Bologna - Basilica dei San Vitale e Sant'Agricola

The "Basilica dei San Vitale e Sant'Agricola" is part of the "Basilica di Santo Stefano" known as "Sette Chiese" (= "Seven Churches") that encompasses a complex of interconnected religious edifices, erected between the 5th and the 13th century.

This church is dedicated to the Saints Vitalis and Agricola, venerated martyrs, who are considered to have died at Bologna about 304, during the Diocletian persecution.

End of the 4th century Bishop Eusebius of Bologna, announced the discovery of the relics of Vitalis and Agricola. When he reburied them, Saint Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, was here and his writings about the event led to popular veneration of these saints.

The church first was named "San Vitale ed Agricola in Arena", as it may have been built over the remains of an amphitheatre where the martyrdom of Vitalis and Agricola had taken place.

Two Romanesque capitals flank the door.

Seen here may be Vitalis and Agricola. Legends tell that Agricola was a noble Christian, who converted his slave Vitalis to Christianity, what resulted in martyrdom.

To the left somebody is riding a dragon - and is just getting devoured. Well the two dragons will probably share the poor soul.