San Pietro Cathedral, Bologna

Cathedral in Bologna

Bologna CathedralSanPietro — CC BY-SA 3.0 / CEphoto, Uwe Aranas

Since at least 1028, St. Peter’s Cathedral has occupied the same site, serving as a significant religious landmark. The original church met its demise, giving way to a consecrated new church in 1184.

In 1396, a grand portico was added, enhancing the cathedral’s appearance. Subsequently, during the 15th century, a series of frescoes adorned its walls, although they suffered considerable damage during later reconstructions. Unfortunately, a remodeling endeavor initiated in 1575 resulted in the collapse of the vaults and the destruction of the church. Construction of a new building commenced in 1605, ultimately culminating in the completion of a splendid facade in 1747.

The magnificent interior, exemplifying the Baroque style, boasts numerous significant artworks. Notable among them is a 12th-century Romanesque crucifix, intricately carved from cedarwood. Additionally, Ludovico Carracci contributed a breath-taking fresco depicting the annunciation. Visitors will also encounter a series of 16th-century terracotta sculptures, titled “Lament over the Dead Christ,” crafted by Alfonso Lombardi. Furthermore, the cathedral houses paintings by renowned artists such as Donato Creti, Ludovico Carracci, and Prospero Fontana.

Dominating the landscape, the bell tower proudly stands at a height of 70 meters and contains “La Nonna,” a remarkable bell weighing 3,300 kilograms. This impressive bell holds the distinction of being the largest bell utilized in the traditional Bolognese bell-ringing tradition.

The San Pietro Cathedral, Bologna appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Bologna!

Other names of San Pietro Cathedral, Bologna

The San Pietro Cathedral, Bologna has the following names: Cathedral of San Pietro.

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Visiting San Pietro Cathedral, Bologna

Hours:

From Monday to Saturday: 7:30 am – 6:45 pm

Sunday 8:00 am – 6:45 pm

Bell Tower: Every Saturday from 2.00pm to 4.30pm in summer also from 19:00 to 23:00 cost: 5 euros

Price:

Free entry

Address: Cattedrale Metropolitana di San Pietro, Via dell'Indipendenza, Bologna, Metropolitan City of Bologna, Italy

Duration: 20 minutes