Basilica di San Petronio

In spite of its size — it is the biggest church in Bologna — it is not the cathedral. The commune of Bologna, not the Vatican, commissioned the basilica. It is said that they sought to merge religion with the ideals of the city and its government.

The work on began in 1390. Completion of the work took centuries lasting until 1658. In fact the diocese was not given the property until 1929. The consecration did not take place until 1954 and the relic of Saint Petronius, to whom the basilica is dedicated, was not transferred until 2000. Petronius was bishop of Bologna from 431 to 450 AD.

Its facade sits unfinished after all these years. This very trait has made the basilica even more unique. Though many artists were called and asked for possible solutions, none of the suggestions were chosen. Among the architects asked to submit their plans for the facade of the basilica were Domenico da Varignana, Giacomo Ranuzzi and Giacomo Barozzi da Vignola. The plans they created in the 16th century have become part of a collection kept in the museum of St. Petronius.

The basilica is a monument to collaboration. The main portal or porta magna was sculpted by Jacopo della Quercia. Alfonso Lombardi, Amico Aspertini, Givanni di da Modena, and il Parmigianino, all great sculptors, contributed their talents to create the smaller doors.

The Basilica di San Petronio has 22 chapels within its walls. They are closed off by wrought iron, brass and marble barriers. This has actually helped to preserve and conserve the art contained within them. Of interest to those who believe in heaven and hell is the 4th chapel (King Magi’s Chapel). Giovanni da Modena created the frescoes here.

Among the wonders of this church is the fact that this church has a sundial built within it. The original meridian line was created by Egnazio Danti, who was part of the commission established by Pope Gregory XIII to create what later became known as the Gregorian calendar. Less than a century after he built this, plans were made to expand the basilica, which included knocking down the wall on which the “eye” of the meridian was located, which would have destroyed the instrument.

Dr. Gian Domenico Cassini of Genoa was teaching astronomy in Bologna at the time and was called to assist the project. His heliometer as he called it, was begun in 1655 and is 66.8 meters long, the longest meridian in the world. It is quite an achievement for the scientific community. He produced visible proof of the Copernicus theory and Kepler’s second law about the sun at a time when the question of whether the sun or the earth was the center of the universe was still unsolved.

The most significant historic event held in the basilica is the crowning of Charles V as the head of the Roman Empire in 1530. From the sixteenth to the nineteenth century, the Basilica di San Petronio was also the church of the university. In order to let students know when lectures were about to start, a church bell, which they called “la scolara” or the pupil, was rung. This is also were Bonaparte’s sister, Elise, is buried.

The Basilica di San Petronio is a wonder of both art and science. It is a place that one would regret not visiting on a trip to Bologna. There is much to see, learn and appreciate behind its unprepossessing face.

Free guided tours in English and Italian are available of the basilica at 11.30am on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Address: Piazza Maggiore, Bologna, Italy
Phone Number: 051 22 54 42
Cost of Entry: Free
Opening Hours: 7.30am-1pm & 2.30-6pm