Basilica of San Petronio

Why go

The Basilica of San Petronio is dedicated to Petronius, the fifth-century bishop who is Bologna's patron saint; its own site says the city's Comune decided to build it in 1388 as a civic church rather than as Bologna's cathedral, and that the original plan was never completed. This record is the basilica, not Piazza Maggiore or Bologna's cathedral. The basilica's visits page says individual visitors and groups under 15 do not need to book (one line, about the paid chapel route, gives 10), that groups of 15 or more and school groups must book by email, and that the chapels of the Magi (Bolognini), San Sebastiano and San Vincenzo Ferrer are on a separate paid route that individual visitors buy on site. Its information page asks for shoulders and knees to be covered and hats to be removed, does not allow suitcases or luggage, and says the panoramic terrace has been closed permanently since restoration work ended.