The Basilica of San Petronio, dedicated to the city's patron saint, is located in Piazza Maggiore and is the largest and most important church in Bologna.
Its construction began in 1390 under the supervision of Antonio di Vincenzo. In 1514, Arduino degli Arriguzzi suggested a new Latin-cross model that would have been larger than St. Peter's Basilica in Rome but, according to legend, Pope Pius IV blocked its construction and insisted on the erection of the Archiginnasio instead. The façade also remained unfinished, being only partly covered in marble by Giacomo Ranuzzi starting from 1538. The interior, completed in different eras, is divided into three naves, which open onto twenty-two chapels decorated by artists, including Francesco Francia, Lorenzo Costa, Parmigianino and Donato Credi.
Famous is the Music Chapel of San Petronio, the oldest musical institution in Bologna (1436), whose most prestigious symbol is a still functioning organ, which, built around 1470 by Lorenzo da Prato, is the oldest in the world still in use. The Chapel of the Three Wise Men (IV) or Bolognini, is also very popular among visitors. Its walls were sumptuously frescoed by Giovanni da Modena with scenes representing “Heaven” and “Hell”.
The sundial by the astronomer Cassini is also well-known and is the longest in the world, measuring 67.27 metres.
Map
Basilica of San Petronio
Piazza Galvani 5
40124 Bologna
Telephone: +39 051231415
Site/minisite/other: https://www.basilicadisanpetronio.org/home/home-eng/
Entrance
Interests
- Art & Culture
Details
Accessibility
- Mobility-impaired visitors may access the church via a side ramp from via de 'Pignattari
Insights
The Museum of St. Petronio
The museum was opened in 1894 to a design by Tito Azzolini with the aim of bringing together collections of exceptional interest: goldsmiths' work, sacred ornaments, illuminated graduals and antiphonaries, musical editions, as well as architectural drawings and plans for the façade of the Basilica of St. Petronio by famous architects such as Vignola, Domenico Tibaldi, Andrea Palladio, Francesco Terribilia, etc.
For more information, visit the website.
The Bell Tower
The Basilica of San Petronio has its own bell tower. Built in the 15th century by Giovanni da Brensa, this 62-metre masterpiece of gothic architecture soars above the eleventh chapel on the right side of the church. One of its four bells is referred to as ‘la scolara’ (the schoolgirl), as it marked the start of university lectures at the nearby Archiginnasio.
Timetables
Visit the basilica website to check the opening hours of the church, chapels, museum and for Mass times.
