The Church Interior

The interior is divided into an attractive central nave and two lateral ones, richly decorated with relics from the battles and victories of the knights and fine works of art by well-known artists of the past.

Fragments from Tuscan Galleys

The three fragments, from Tuscan galleys for state occasions belonging to the Knights of St. Stephen, were from the stern door and sides. The wood is richly carved with Turkish slaves in chains, dragons, marine and war trophies and is the work of 17th century Pisan artist Santi Santucci, nicknamed «il Santino», who was master carver under Grand Duke Ferdinando II.

Several other pieces from galleys figuring heraldic eagles and moorish heads are hung on the walls of the central nave.

Ensigns and lanterns

Since the “Registers of Spoils” belonging to the Order have been lost, it is not easy to identify each single ensign hanging in the church from the original lists of flags .

They were undoubtedly taken between the ends of the 16th and 18th centuries. The most interesting is the Turkish battle pennant hoisted from Ali Pasha's flagship at the Battle of Lepanto on 7 October 1571. It was taken by the “Capitana” and the “Grifona”, two vessels from the group of twelve galleys belonging to the Order of St. Stephen which took part in this historic battle.

Above this is a collection of eight 16th and 18th century lanterns in copper gilt, from Turkish ships.

The Carved Wood Ceiling

1) Ludovico Cardi nicknamed “il Cigoli” (1559 1613): “The Robing of Cosimo I as Grand Master of the Order” ( 1604).

2) Jacopo Ligozzi (1547 1626) “The Return of the Fleet of the Order After the Battle of Lepanto” (1604).

3) Cristofano Allori (1577 1621) “Maria de' Medici Embarking--17/10/1600--on her journey to wed Henry IV, King of France” (1604).

4) Jacopo Chimenti, nicknamed “I'Empoli” (1554 1640) “Victory in the Greek archipelago” (in 1602 six Stefarlian triremes overcame four Turkish galleys) (1604).

5) Jacopo Ligozzi “The city of Prevesa expunged” (1605).

6) Jacopo Chimenti (“I'Empoli”) “Bona expunged” (15 16 September 1607) (1613).

These painted panels are set against the blue background of the magnificently carved and decorated gilded and painted wood ceiling. The carvings represent the coats of arms of tbe Order surrounded by scrolls, garlands and cherubs and flanked by war trophies and emblems, the work of Alessandro Pieroni (1550 1607) and Filippo Paladini.

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