The Basilica of San Petronio

From the Art Hotel Commercianti, located in the historic center of Bologna, it’s impossible not to be enchanted by the majesty of the Basilica of San Petronio. A few steps from the hotel, in the heart of Piazza Maggiore, this imposing Gothic church dominates the urban landscape with its unfinished greatness that, far from diminishing it, makes it one of the most fascinating monuments of the city.

Dedicated to the patron saint of Bologna, its construction began in 1390 with the ambition to become the largest church in Europe. Although it was never completed according to the original project, it continues to impress today: it’s the sixth largest church on the continent and the largest in the world built entirely of exposed bricks.

Inside it are kept real treasures:

- The sundial drawn by Giovanni Domenico Cassini in the seventeenth century, 67 meters long, is still the largest of its kind in the world.

- The Chapel of the Magi, frescoed by Jacopo di Paolo, and many other side chapels offer a journey into Bolognese sacred art from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance.

- The interior perspective, with the high Gothic vaults and the light that gently filters through the windows, creates a suspended atmosphere, solemn but welcoming.

Staying in one of our rooms with views of the Basilica of San Petronio, you can admire its unique facade directly from the intimacy of your room, enjoying a privileged perspective on the monumental soul of Bologna.

San Petronio is not a cathedral, that role belongs to San Pietro, but it’s the church symbol of Bologna, because it represents the civic spirit of the city: built by the people, for the people.

Today it’s a place of worship, of course, but also of culture, music and science. Organ concerts, conferences, guided tours and moments of meditation are held here. A place where spirituality is intertwined with the history and identity of Bologna.

Staying at the Art Hotel Commercianti, an exclusive hotel in the historic center of Bologna, will allow you living an authentic experience of cultural tourism in Bologna, with direct access to the main monuments of the city. From here, all of Bologna is at your fingertips, and the Basilica of San Petronio will undoubtedly be one of the most precious memories of your stay.