Basilica di San Petronio — Attraction in Bologna

A Journey through History: The Basilica di San Petronio

Standing majestically in the heart of Bologna's Piazza Maggiore is the Basilica di San Petronio, an architectural marvel that speaks volumes about the city's rich historical and religious tapestry. One cannot help but be awed by its grandeur, a testament to the craftsmanship of the ages and a symbol of Bologna's historical prestige.

Construction of this magnificent edifice began in 1390, a project initiated by the city's commune to reflect Bologna's independence and significance during the Middle Ages. The church is dedicated to Saint Petronius, the city's patron saint, who served as bishop in the 5th century and is revered for having built the Church of Santo Stefano, one of Bologna's oldest places of worship.

One of the unique features of the Basilica di San Petronio is its unfinished façade. While the bottom is adorned with beautiful pink Verona marble, the top is noticeably incomplete. This was due to a decree by Pope Pius IV in the 16th century, which diverted resources to the renovation of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome instead.

Nevertheless, the Basilica di San Petronio remains one of the largest churches in the world and the largest brick-built Gothic church. Its dimensions are truly impressive, spanning 132 meters in length and 60 meters in width, with the central nave towering to a height of 44 meters.

The interior of the church is just as stunning as its exterior. There are 22 chapels which are adorned with exquisite artwork, including masterpieces from the Italian Renaissance period. The Bolognese School of painting is well-represented, with artworks from celebrated artists like Lorenzo Costa and Marcantonio Raimondi.

Of particular note is the sundial on the floor of the basilica. Constructed in 1655 by the astronomer Giovanni Domenico Cassini, it is one of the largest sundials in the world. This sundial served not only religious purposes, but was instrumental in determining the exact date of Easter and played a crucial role in confirming the accuracy of the Gregorian calendar we use today.

The basilica also houses a significant piece of music history. The composer Ottorino Respighi, famous for his orchestral pieces, served as a violinist in the orchestra of the Teatro Comunale, situated within the basilica. This further cements the basilica's standing as not only a religious and historical monument, but also a cultural one.

In essence, a visit to the Basilica di San Petronio is a journey through time. From the determination of medieval craftsmen to the intellectual pursuits of Renaissance astronomers, the church stands as a testament to the human spirit and its ceaseless quest for knowledge and artistic expression. It stands as a symbol of Bologna's rich history, a monument to its religious fervour, and a beacon of its cultural...

The basilica of San Petronio is among the best known churches in the city and among the most dear to the Bolognese, because it dominates the main square, Piazza Maggiore, and because it is dedicated precisely to the patron saint (Saint Petronius, who was the bishop of Bologna in the fifth century). Majestic, it is among the 5 largest churches in Italy, its construction began at the end of the 14th century, and it lasted a long time, passing through numerous architects and projects. The history of this church is extremely interesting. Construction began in 1390 under the supervision of architect Antonio di Vincenzo, and its main facade has remained unfinished since. To make room for the church, the adjacent Curia of Sancti Ambrosii was demolished, together with the majority of one of the city's burgs, including at least eight churches and towers. The main doorway (Porta Magna) was decorated by Jacopo della Quercia of Siena with scenes from the Old Testament ( The beautiful statue of the Madonna and Child, with episodes from the life of Jesus on the architrave below ). On the floor of the basilica, in the left nave, the pontifical astronomer Giandomenico Cassini in 1655 expanded the meridian line already made a century earlier by the Dominican Danti. It is the longest meridian line in the world (in a closed place) and corresponds exactly to the six hundred thousandth part of the earth's meridian. Every day, entering the hole located 27 meters high in the vault, a ray of sunshine intersects the line, thus marking the slow and inexorable passing of days and seasons. The altar contains a 15th-century wooden crucifix. At the back, a fresco of the Madonna with St. Petronio by Marcantonio Franceschini and Luigi Quaini, cartoons by Carlo Cignani (1672). The ciborium of the main altar was built in 1547 by Jacopo Barozzi da Vignola. The nave contains twenty-two side chapels, with pieces by renowned masters of sculpture and painting, in Gothic and Baroque style. A very interesting and historically...

The Basilica of San Petronio is a minor basilica and church of the Archdiocese of Bologna located in Bologna, Emilia Romagna, northern Italy. It dominates Piazza Maggiore. The basilica is dedicated to the patron saint of the city, Saint Petronius, who was the bishop of Bologna in the fifth century. Construction began in 1390 and its main facade has remained unfinished since. The building was transferred from the city to the diocese in 1929; the basilica was finally consecrated in 1954. It has been the seat of the relics of Bologna's patron saint only since 2000; until then they were preserved in the Santo Stefano church of Bologna.[citation needed

In 1388, the Consiglio Generale dei Seicento prepared the construction of the church as a civic temple.[1] To make room for the church, the adjacent Curia of Sancti Ambrosii was demolished, together with the majority of one of the city's burgs, including at least eight churches and towers.[citation needed] The first stone of construction was laid on 7 June 1390 under the supervision of architect Antonio di Vincenzo.[1] Works lasted for several centuries: after the completion of the first version of the facade, in 1393 the first pair of side chapels were begun. The series were completed only in 1479.[citation needed]

The third bay was built in 1441–1446. Its construction was delayed by the cardinal Baldassarre Cossa, who sold the construction material of the basilica and kept...