Basilica of San Petronio

There’s so much to take in here on Piazza Maggiore, it’s hard to know where to look first! Let’s start with the Basilica of San Petronio, to your left. At first glance, you might notice that the top looks unfinished... that’s because it is! The rest of the basilica is completed, even if it took nearly 300 years to reach its current form. The people of Bologna dreamt of building the largest basilica in the world, but the Pope opposed the idea of any church being larger than St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. To stop the project from expanding, he had university buildings constructed behind it to block any further development. So, no world record for San Petronio, but its dimensions are still impressive, 132 metres long, 60 metres wide and 51 metres tall including the façade. It’s among the 15 largest churches in the world, and is well worth a closer look. Step inside to see its stunning Gothic architecture and its 22 chapels, each one as remarkable as the next. You’ll also find Italy’s oldest pipe organ, and some extraordinary frescoes depicting the life of Saint Petronius, Bologna’s patron saint. As for the façade, look closely at the lower section. Covered in white Istrian stone and pink Verona marble, it shows us how the whole exterior was meant to look, ornate, elegant, and richly decorated. Even in its unfinished state, the Basilica of San Petronio dominates the square and is one of Bologna’s most iconic landmarks.