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Basilica di San Petronio, Bologna

4.4

#4 of 89 in Historic Sites in Bologna

Historic Site Church

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The 15th largest church in the world, Basilica di San Petronio is the main place of worship of Bologna. The basilica has been home to the sacred relics of its namesake since 2000, but its claim to fame is its history of sacred instrumental and choral music. Two grand organs installed in 1476 and 1596 often fill the main chapel with music. In the 17th century, astronomer Giovanni Domenico Cassini designed a sundial that's in the paved ground outside the basilica on the left. At 66.8 m (219 ft), it is the longest sundial in the world. Use our Bologna sightseeing planner to visit Basilica di San Petronio on your trip to Bologna, and learn what else travelers and our writers recommend seeing nearby.

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Basilica di San Petronio Reviews

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TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

3,877 reviews

Google

4.6

facebook

4.8

3,565 likes

• By Stephen W

  This church dominates Piazza Maggiore and it's easy to visit so there's no reason not to. But to me all it had going for it is its huge size. The interior is unremarkable.  more »

• By capixaba_traveler

  Construída para ser a maior igreja do mundo, ela tem a sua fachada inacabada, mas o interior muito grandioso no estilo gótico com uma decoração clara, mármore rosa e pintura branca. No interior muitas...  more »

  Built to be the largest church in the world, it has its unfinished façade, but the very grand interior in Gothic style with a clear décor, pink marble and white paint. Inside many beautiful paintings and a stretch of a meridian.
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Google

• By Jeff Solomon

  A beautiful basilica right in the heart of Bologna. Definitely a place to check out when visiting this city. Be aware that the church charges 2 Euro to take pictures inside and has a guideline to appropriate clothing when entering the basilica.

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• By Rehaan Laul

  This basilica is breathtaking and it’s not hard to see why this is the tenth biggest church in the world(measured in volume). The only disappointment is it costs 2€ to take pictures. The outside is half in marble, half in brick. The project was never completed.

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