Basilica of San Petronio

The Basilica of San Petronio, in Bologna

The Basilica of San Petronio is the immense Gothic church that dominates Piazza Maggiore, dedicated to the patron saint of Bologna. The Bologna audio-guided tour stops here, with respect, to evoke this monumental sanctuary, one of the largest brick buildings of the world.

The colossal brick sanctuary

The Basilica of San Petronio is the most imposing religious building of Bologna and one of the largest of Christendom. Its construction began at the end of the fourteenth century, on the decision of the town, which wanted a church to the measure of its ambition, dedicated to San Petronio, the patron saint of Bologna. The result is colossal: it is one of the vastest brick churches of the world. Its façade remains unfinished, divided between the lower part clad in marble and the upper part left in bare brick, which constitutes one of its most striking particularities. The interior, immense and solemn, shelters numerous chapels, works of art and the longest meridian line of the world, traced on the floor by the astronomer Cassini. A major sanctuary, the Basilica of San Petronio is discovered with respect.

What to see

You admire, with respect, the immense Gothic basilica, one of the vastest brick churches of the world, its unfinished façade mixing marble and bare brick, its solemn interior with numerous chapels and works of art, and the longest meridian line of the world traced by Cassini. The Basilica of San Petronio is dedicated to the patron saint of Bologna. It is a major stop to be discovered with respect.

Practical information

The Basilica of San Petronio lies on Piazza Maggiore, in the heart of Bologna, reachable on foot. A place of worship, it can be visited with respect for services and appropriate dress; entry is generally free, but certain spaces and the meridian line follow their own conditions, which vary. It is best to check them before coming.

Why is the Basilica of San Petronio of Bologna famous?

It is one of the vastest brick churches of the world, dedicated to the patron saint of Bologna, with an unfinished façade mixing marble and bare brick; its interior shelters the longest meridian line of the world, traced by the astronomer Cassini.

Where is the Basilica of San Petronio?

On Piazza Maggiore, in the heart of Bologna, in Italy.