Location: Bologna
Top Things to do in Bologna
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The 10 Best Sacred & Religious Sites in Bologna, Emilia-Romagna
While crowds of tourists fill Venice, Florence and Rome, Bologna remains relatively quiet in comparison. This medieval university town is charming, historic and fun to explore… and you'll find Bologna's local cuisine is light-years away from the American deli meat bearing the city's name.
Restaurants in Bologna
1. Basilica di San Domenico
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 873 reviews
Reviewed By Jo_and_Tom - Anna, United States
This church is very close to Hotel Touring. Looking at it you wouldn't think much of it until you get inside and have a guide who tells the story of the Church. The Tomb of Saint Dominic (Dominican founder) is located here. One of his relics is his skull entombed in a gold reliquary which is at the back of the altar. Michaelangelo was several years in Bologna as a student. One of his contribution to the tomb was a small "Clothed David" and his student also contributed a statue to same tomb. Outside were some unusual tombs which are elevated versus on the ground. They are two of the Bologna University founders - Doctors of Law. The one interesting point our guide explained that Beethoven played in this church when his father was Music Master. Beethoven in order to play had to pass a test and couldn't because he didn't know music theory on how to compose, even though he was composing at that age. Finally the choir master stated this boy was a genius and his compositions were far superior than other organ players so he was allowed to play.
2. Basilica San Francesco
3. San Vitale e Agricola in Arena
4. Corpus Domini
5. Chiesa di San Bartolomeo
6. Cenobio di San Vittore
7. Chiesa di Santa Maria della Vita
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,320 reviews
Reviewed By Jet39391324010
It is in Via Clavature which is very busy at all times. The church is beautiful inside with interesting works. It is very much worth paying €4 to see the Lamentation of Christ. A display of terracotta figures representing Joseph of Arimathea, Mary the mother of James and John, the Madonna, John the Beloved apostle, Mary of Clopas and Mary Magdalene lamenting over the body of Christ. It was amazing!
8. Chiesa della Madonna di Galliera
9. Cripta di San Zama
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13 reviews
The SS Naborre and Felice Abbey (where S. Zama’s Crypt is kept) has also been the site of Bologna’s Military Hospital. During the 3rd century, in this site, already existed the first and most important Christian diffusion center. It is said that the first archibishop in Bologna, around the year 270, had improved the preexisting church, dedicating it to St. Peter The Crypt is stylistically referable around the 11th century: it is subdivided in three naves, with three apses and with two rows of columns in the middle nave. The four columns before the altar are in Corinthian style, most likely deriving from elder constructions and reused here.
