There was more to Bologna than porticos. There were few Catholic Churches that we made time to visit and pay our respect aside from standing in awe at their sheer architectural beauty.
Starting from Basilica di San Domenico – which was steps away from our hotel.
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Statue of an Angel Holding a Candelabrum sculpted by Michaelangelo himself when he came to Bologna.
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Basilica di San Pietro – the official cathedral of Bologna.
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Santa Maria della Vita. The church houses one of Bologna’s most extraordinary sculptures: the Compianto sul Cristo Morto (Lamentation over the Dead Christ) by Niccolò dell’Arca.
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Basilica Santuario Santo Stefano, also known as the Seven Churches. There used to be 7 interconnected churches but only 4 remains today.
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San Paolo Maggiore. Known for its Baroque architecture and rich history. Originally built in the 17th century, the basilica features an impressive façade and a beautifully decorated interior with frescoes and artworks by renowned artists of the time.
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Santuario Madonna di San Luca (The altar with the Byzantine icon of the Madonna).
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Santuario Madonna di San Luca. The walk to the top, under the world’s longest portico (666 arches) is around 4 kms.
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Last but not least, Basilica di San Domenico, Bologna’s most famous church and one of the largest in the world. The church with it’s unfinished facade looms over Piazza Maggiore.
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Basilica di San Domenico (The altar)
3 days, a few churches – some could even be misidentified. The travails of travel.
Bologna, Italy – May 7 to 9, 2026
