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Province of Bologna
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Bologna
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Basilica di San Petronio
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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This basilica is huge from it's exterior and feels even bigger once you get inside. It doesn't have great kerb appeal from the outside as it has distinguishing features apart from it's huge doors...
This basilica is huge from it's exterior and feels even bigger once you get inside. It doesn't have great kerb appeal from the outside as it has distinguishing features apart from it's huge doors... more »
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This is a big old cathedral in the maggiore square the facade is nice but the inside is beautiful really makes you gasp when you step inside
This is a big old cathedral in the maggiore square the facade is nice but the inside is beautiful really makes you gasp when you step inside more »
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The size of this cathedral is really impressive. It has it own character even if it’s exterior is not complete. What caught our attention was some weird frescoes with mystical creatures and the meridian line which is the longest functioning in the world that can show the months etc. Also there is a Foucault’s pendulum!! Very interesting church overall, a must visit when in Bologna!!
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It was an impressive basilica. However, as some have mentioned they enforce a strict dress code for women. I don’t agree with this but can respect it however, this basilica seemed to have more of a subjective dress code and were not polite to people who didn’t follow their dress code. Also, the staff inside of the basilica shouted at some tourists. It did not feel like a friendly place to be. This is not necessary and doesn’t feel right being a spiritual place.
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