Historical Churches, Bologna

Historical Churches (Self Guided), Bologna

The historic city of Bologna is one of the most sumptuous medieval places in Italy, as well as one of the country's most visited destinations. There are churches everywhere in the city, many of which are well-preserved and well worth a visit. Magnificent and centuries-old, each of them has its own specialty and history carved into, replete with great historic artifacts associated with world renowned artists.

Such like, for instance, is the San Domenico Basilica that has a Michelangelo statue and a very particular piano that Mozart used to play whilst in Bologna.

Another no less remarkable religious object and a true example of Romanesque architecture is Santo Stefano (St. Stephen Complex) Basilica. Also known as Seven Churches or Holy Jerusalem, it was reportedly started by Saint Petronius himself, the patron saint of the city, and then continued in different styles over the period of 600 years. A definite must-see!

Among other religious sites you may want to visit in Bologna there are:

Basilica of San Petronio – dedicated to Saint Petronius, the most imposing church in the city; built throughout centuries since 1390.

Santa Maria della Vita (the Church of Holy Mary of Life) – established by Franciscan monk Raniero Fasani in 1260; one of its most remarkable attractions is the Lamentation over Dead Christ sculptural group.

San Paolo Maggiore Church – Baroque-style, Roman Catholic basilica commissioned between 1606 and 1611; richly adorned with frescoes, canvases and marble sculptures.

Basilica of San Domenico – one of Bologna’s major churches, holding the remains of Saint Dominic, founder of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans).

To explore these and other majestic churches on your stay in this fascinating old city, follow our self-guided walking tour.
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Historical Churches Map

Guide Name: Historical Churches
Guide Location: Italy » Bologna (See other walking tours in Bologna)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
# of Attractions: 7
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
Author: vickyc
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
  • Basilica of San Petronio
  • Santa Maria della Vita (Church of Holy Mary of Life)
  • Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista dei Celestini (Church of St. John the Baptist)
  • Chiesa di San Paolo Maggiore (Church of St. Paul the Greater)
  • Basilica di San Domenico (Basilica of St. Dominic)
  • Santo Stefano (St. Stephen Complex)
  • Basilica di San Giacomo Maggiore (Basilica of Saint James the Greater)
1
Basilica of San Petronio

1) Basilica of San Petronio (must see)

The Basilica of San Petronio is dedicated to the patron saint of Bologna, Saint Petronius. The church has been called the most imposing church in Bologna and is one of the most significant buildings on the Piazza Maggiore. It's the sixth-largest church in Europe.

Work on the Basilica began in 1390 and continued throughout the centuries. In the 1500s, a new architect planned to enlarge the Basilica to compete with St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. However, the work was too complicated and never completed. The Basilica was consecrated in 1954. In 2000, Saint Petronio's relics were moved from the Santo Stefano Church to the Basilica.

The current facade was begun in 1538 but has never been completed. It was designed using cosmological and esoteric "diagramming." The facade is divided into two horizontal bands. The upper band is unfinished and shows exposed brick. The lower band was covered in red and white marble during the 16th century.

The main doorway features a variety of carved scenes. The pillars feature scenes from the Old Testament. The archivolt features carvings of 18 prophets. The architrave has scenes from the New Testament, and the tympanum has a Madonna and Child, Saint Petronius, and Saint Ambrose. Michelangelo called the evocative Madonna and Child the most beautiful of the 15th century.

The side doors were originally built in 1500 and decorated by different artists throughout the years. The campanile was constructed in the 1400s and is an impressive 65-meters tall. The four bells are hand rung using traditional techniques.

The Basilica of San Petronio houses the world's longest indoor meridian line. The line measures 66.8 meters (219.16 feet) and was inlaid in 1656. A sunray enters from a hole in the vault 27 meters high and precisely hits the line, allowing for accurate time measurement.

An impressive 22 side chapels beckon visitors to explore. The chapel of San Petronio contains two important organs. The 1475 organ is one of the oldest organs in existence. This chapel also hosts the Four Crosses, one of the oldest Christian symbols in Bologna. These crosses may have been placed on top of Roman columns by San Petronio to spiritually defend the city.

Why You Should Visit:
This impressive church is packed with history and beauty. It can host up to 28,000 people and has hosted many important ceremonies, including the 1530 coronation of Charles V as Holy Roman Emperor.

Tips:
Entrance is free, but if you wish to take photos, there is a small fee. There is an additional fee to enter Chapel of the Three Kings, which houses a controversial 15th-century fresco. There is a dress code; shoulders and knees must be covered. The Basilica is open every day from 7:45 am to 2:00 pm and 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
2
Santa Maria della Vita (Church of Holy Mary of Life)

2) Santa Maria della Vita (Church of Holy Mary of Life) (must see)

When Franciscan monk Raniero Fasani arrived in Bologna in 1260, he established a church and hospital to look after the sick. The original church was destroyed in 1686.

Construction on the ornate Baroque-style church that stands today began in 1687 and was completed in the 1700s. The exterior facade is simple with pilasters. The interior has ornate baroque decorations with numerous paintings. The side chapels are lavishly decorated.

One of the most remarkable attractions in the Church of Holy Mary of Life is the Lamentation of Christ. Artist Niccolò dell'Arca created this series of terracotta statues in the 15th century. The masterpiece shows mourners gathered around the body of Christ.

The adjacent oratory was completed in 1617 and hosts several artworks. Visitors will find various statues dating to the 16th century. The Madonna with Child and Saints was completed by artist Nosadella in 1550. The Transit of the Madonna features 14 terracotta statues. This artwork was created by artist Alfonso Lombardi in 1522.

Statues of St. Proculus and St. Petronius by Aseeandro Algardi adorn niches in the walls. Visitors will also find St. Francis and St. Domenic statues by Giulio Cesare Conventi.

The Church of Holy Mary of Life is often overlooked, but its fabulous interior and important artworks are worth seeing.
3
Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista dei Celestini (Church of St. John the Baptist)

3) Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista dei Celestini (Church of St. John the Baptist)

Established by Pietro da Morrone, later known as Pope Celestine V, the Celestine monks arrived in Bologna in 1368 at the invitation of Antonio Galluzzi, who generously provided them with a monastery and a church dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. Over time, the complex underwent significant expansions and renovations, particularly during the 16th century, with its form largely preserved through an 18th-century reconstruction. Although the Celestines were disbanded in 1797, the church remained in use for religious services.

Originally intended to house the meeting hall of the Council of Thirty, plans for adapting the convent included demolishing certain buildings owned by Pompeo Fontana to create additional space; however, these plans were never realized. Instead, in September 1798, the convent was repurposed to oversee the administration of the lottery. Subsequently, it served various functions such as hosting the Registry office, conscripts' bureau, and archives of suppressed religious entities. In the mid-19th century, it underwent renovations to accommodate the School of Engineering Application and presently serves as the home of the State Archives.

Although the exterior may not be particularly striking or remarkable, the intricate and somewhat dramatic frescoes on the walls and ceilings certainly make the visit worthwhile. The artworks found on the main altar and in the side chapels are also worth admiring.
4
Chiesa di San Paolo Maggiore (Church of St. Paul the Greater)

4) Chiesa di San Paolo Maggiore (Church of St. Paul the Greater)

Constructed in the early 1600s in Baroque style, this church was commissioned by the Barnabites, a Catholic order belonging to the Clerics Regular of Saint Paul. In the 1630s, its elegant façade in brick and stone, adorned with statues of Saints Peter and Paul, was added.

Inside, the vaults were splendidly decorated by Antonio and Giuseppe Rolli, illustrating the exploits of Saint Paul at the Areopagus in Athens (Antonio tragically died after a fall from a scaffold, and his brother completed the work). Above the altar, notable paintings by renowned Bolognese artists such as Guercino, Giuseppe Maria Crespi, and Lodovico Carracci depict the famous "Paradiso". The opulent high altar is particularly striking, featuring a sculpture of the "Decollation of Saint Paul", commissioned by the Barnabites and crafted by the Bolognese artist Alessandro Algardi (who also created the medallion adorning the front of the altar and the tabernacle).

Church and art enthusiasts will undoubtedly find ample delight here, as myriad intricate details beckon admiration. And once you've indulged your eyes, you can bask in the tranquility and serenity of the surroundings.
5
Basilica di San Domenico (Basilica of St. Dominic)

5) Basilica di San Domenico (Basilica of St. Dominic) (must see)

Via Castiglione once served as the main route to the Bolognese hills, with access controlled by Porta Castiglione, one of the city's ten surviving gates. To the west, the monumental Basilica of Saint Dominic (with a fee for entry to the presbytery only) presides over the cobblestone Piazza San Domenico. The square has two notable mausoleums, each featuring a tomb raised on pillars and sheltered by a canopy, dedicated to renowned medieval law scholars Rolandino de' Passaggeri and Egidio Foscherari.

The basilica was originally built to house the relics of Saint Dominic, the founder of the Dominican order who passed away here in 1221 and was canonized in 1234. Despite having undergone alterations over the years, the structure still abounds in curious, canopied tombs and artworks by renowned artists such as Michelangelo, Pisano, and Filippino Lippi, alongside works by prominent Bolognese artists.

The Chapel of Saint Dominic holding the saint's tomb is halfway down the basilica on the right. The magnificent Tomb of Saint Dominic ("Arca di San Domenico") is a collaborative effort by several leading artists, including Niccolò da Bari (later known as Niccolò dell'Arca for his outstanding work here), Nicola Pisano, and Arnolfo di Cambio. Completed by Michelangelo, who was a mere 19-year-old at the time, the Arca features two Bolognese saints – Proculus and Petronius – holding a model of Bologna.

Decorating the dome above the Arca is Guido Reni's "Saint Dominic in Glory with Christ, the Madonna, and Saints", while hidden behind the shrine lies the precious reliquary of Saint Dominic's head. Other notable artworks include Giunta Pisano's "Crucifix" (1250) and the tomb of Taddeo Pepoli, both located in the left transept; Filippino Lippi's "Mystical Marriage of Saint Catherine" in the small chapel beyond the right transept; and the exquisite mid-sixteenth-century marquetry choir stalls.
6
Santo Stefano (St. Stephen Complex)

6) Santo Stefano (St. Stephen Complex) (must see)

This complex of religous buildings is also known as Seven Churches or Holy Jerusalem.

Tradition states that Saint Petronius built the complex over a temple dedicated to Isis. Saint Petronius wanted to emulate the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

The Saint Stephen Church or of the Holy Crucifix dates back to the eighth century. Artist Simone dei Corcifissi created the crucifix in 1380. In addition, 15th-century frescoes depict the Martyrdom of Saint Stephen. A crypt with five naves is located underneath the church.

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre dates to the fifth century. It was built by Bishop Petronius, who was later venerated as Saint Petronius. Petronius wanted to emulate the Constantinian Sepulcher of Jerusalem and reproduce where Christ's remains were held. A shrine holds San Petronio relics. The church was damaged in the 10th century and rebuilt in the 11th century.

The Church of the Saints Vitale and Agricola is the oldest in the complex. The remains of the venerated saints Vitale and Agricola were moved from the church in 393 AD. This indicates that the church was built sometime before 393 AD.

In the 1400s, a sepulcher with the inscription Symon was found. When pilgrims began coming to the church to look for Saint Peter's tomb, the Pope had the church filled with earth for seventy years. The interior features a Roman mosaic floor.

The Courtyard of Pilate commemorates the place where Jesus was condemned to death. In the courtyard center is a limestone basin known as Pilato's Cat. The basin dates to the eighth century. Visitors will also find a 14th century stone rooster to symbolize the denial of Jesus.

The Church of the Trinity or of the Martyrium is also known as the Church of the Holy Cross or of Calvary or Trinity. This church was planned to emulate the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem but was unfinished. Inside the church, visitors will find a 12th-century life-sized wooden nativity scene.

Finally, don't miss the St. Stephen's Museum, which houses various relics, artworks, and religious objects.

Why You Should Visit:
The oldest parts of the complex date back to Roman times. Visitors will find a Roman mosaic floor in The Church of the Saints Vitale and Agricola. This complex is full of history and provides insight into medieval religious customs.

Tips:
Benedictine Monks sell souvenirs and their special liquor in the gift shop.
7
Basilica di San Giacomo Maggiore (Basilica of Saint James the Greater)

7) Basilica di San Giacomo Maggiore (Basilica of Saint James the Greater)

Overlooking Piazza Rossini stands the Basilica of Saint James the Greater, also known as the Bentivoglio family's church, offering free entry to visitors. The Romanesque facade and lion-flanked portals predate Bologna's illustrious dynasty, while the graceful Renaissance portico, along with many splendid paintings in their family chapel, date from their era (follow the signage upon entering the church). Although the chapel is only open on Saturday mornings (from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM), it can be observed through the railings.

Notable works include the "Madonna and Child" (1488) and the evocative "Triumph of Death and Triumph of Fame", both crafted by the Ferrarese painter Lorenzo Costa. The Bentivoglio Altarpiece ("The Madonna and Child"), depicting Giovanni il Bentivoglio, his spouse, and eleven children, was purportedly commissioned in gratitude for the family's survival of an attempted massacre by a rival clan. Also noteworthy is "The Madonna and Saints" (1494) by Francesco Raibolini, considered among the artist's finest altarpieces.

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