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ByPetra Udomprasert Updated on

The 7 Beautiful Churches in Bologna You Shouldn’t Miss

Is it possible to visit all the churches in Bologna in one visit? No. But can you visit seven really good ones? Absolutely.

After visiting 12 of them on my latest trip, I’ve got the final seven that I’d go back to again and again. I think you’ll feel the same way.

And no, these seven are not the seven chapels of the Santo Stefano Complex. I actually mean seven separate churches and cathedrals around the city. That complex is on the list, though!

Of course, you can’t skip Basilica di San Petronio. That’s right on the main square. But I also love walking around the cloisters of Basilica di San Domenico, and seeing a Byzantine masterpiece at Santuario Madonna di San Luca.

To help you plan your ultra-cultural time in Bologna, I’m going tell you the highlight and style of each church, what other attraction and food spots are within a stone’s throw of each, and also advise which one to visit based on your priorities if you can’t get to them all.

I had the most wonderful time gawking at the art and architecture inside every one of these churches. I can’t wait for you to have that same experience!

Why Visit Churches in Bologna?

If you would visit temples in Thailand and visit mosques in Abu Dhabi, then you must agree that religion makes up a part of the local culture. That is the main reason why I enjoyed “church-hopping” in Italy.

Even if religion weren’t part of the culture, the architecture of catholic churches is just stunning. So why not?

And yes, you will actually find some of Michelangelo’s works here in Bologna as well! I went not knowing and found out unexpectedly. My little nerdy heart was so full.

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Ornate golden crucifix hanging above the altar inside Basilica di San Petronio in Bologna, framed by marble columns and intricate sculptures. The baroque tabernacle and surrounding artwork highlight the grandeur of one of the city's most iconic churches.

The Catholic Churches of Bologna

Every single one of these seven churches is free to visit. Offerings are welcome, usually by paying a few euros for informational pamphlets or postcards.

For each church, I’ve also included the closest attractions and food stops (if any) to help with your planning.

You can technically walk between six of them comfortably, but anything I list as “nearby” means that it’s a 5-minute walk or less away.

1. Basilica di San Petronio

I’d consider myself a greatly inadequate guide to not lead this list with the church of Bologna’s patron saint.

This is the largest and most important church in the city. So large, in fact, that a plan for its construction was blocked by a pope to prevent a church larger than the Vatican’s St. Peter’s.

Vast Gothic interior of Basilica di San Petronio with soaring vaulted ceilings, red marble columns, and the ornate golden crucifix above the altar.
Look at the people on the floor for scale. There’s no way to make this place look massive enough in photos!

It’s also insanely convenient to visit, sitting right on the Piazza Maggiore, which is one of the first places any visitor would go.

Take 20-30 minutes to admire its 22 chapels and the world’s longest sundial on the floor to your left, which goes with a small hole to the left of the ceiling halfway down the nave.

Side chapel inside Basilica di San Petronio with a statue of the Virgin Mary surrounded by fresh flowers and backed by ornate stained glass windows.
Section of the world’s longest indoor sundial embedded in the marble floor of Basilica di San Petronio, etched with zodiac signs and dates.
Small circular opening in the vaulted ceiling of San Petronio, allowing sunlight to pass through and mark the floor-mounted sundial below.

Another important highlight is a functioning organ over 500 years old, part of the original music chapel of San Petronio.

The chapel was the oldest music school in Bologna, which also gave rise to the city as the music-learning destination for Mozart and many other prominent names.

Visitors’ Information

2. Santuario Madonna di San Luca

I think of this as a church plus a good bit of exercise. The sanctuary is perched atop a hill overlooking the city, and the city trams can take you straight up there.

Grand exterior of Santuario Madonna di San Luca in Bologna, with its circular dome and terracotta facade framed by elegant porticos and columns.

However, the San Luca portico that leads 3.7 kilometers up from Porta Saragozza is recorded as the longest in the world. Wouldn’t you want to walk up it?

I did, and it took me exactly an hour. Twenty minutes on flat ground and about 40 minutes uphill.

Endless line of terracotta-colored arches forming the Portico di San Luca, the world’s longest covered walkway leading up to the sanctuary in Bologna.

The portico itself snakes up the hill with exactly 666 arches installed. This was done on purpose, because at the top of the hill, the Madonna is there to crush the devil! Amazing concept.

Once you’re inside the sanctuary, get as close to the altar as you can and look at a portrait of Madonna holding the Baby Jesus, cased in gold.

Legend has it that a hermit brought it from Constantinople in 1160. It is also this very portrait that is the focus of Bologna’s annual procession.

Main chapel of Santuario Madonna di San Luca featuring towering gold-trimmed columns, frescoed arches, and the sacred Byzantine icon on the altar.
Vivid frescoes on the dome and apse of Santuario Madonna di San Luca, depicting heavenly scenes of angels and saints ascending toward divine light.
Golden-framed Byzantine portrait of the Madonna and Child inside Santuario Madonna di San Luca, encased in an ornate baroque altar with angelic carvings.

For €5, you can also climb up 127 steps of the dome for a panoramic view of Bologna and its surrounding hills. Keep in mind that the dome opens at 10:00 AM.

I’d say go up as early as you can. The terrace up there is very small and a bit underwhelming. I can’t imagine being up there during peak hours.

Panoramic view of the rolling green hills and valleys surrounding Bologna, as seen from the top of Santuario Madonna di San Luca on a cloudy day.

Visitors’ Information

3. The Santo Stefano Complex

Known as the “Seven Churches of Bologna,” there are really only four chapels inside, but they are so worth visiting.

Don’t be fooled by its simple-looking facade you see from the square. A good visit will take you up to 30 minutes.

View of the main chapel at Santo Stefano with a red carpeted stairway leading to a glowing altar and golden crucifix framed by Romanesque arches.

If you’re excited by medieval architecture, this church is your top priority. The interior of each chapel is mainly bare brick walls with dim lighting.

You’ll also find a smaller replica of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem in the second chapel.

Octagonal interior of the Santo Stefano Complex with a raised platform and detailed stone carvings, modeled after the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.
Dimly lit medieval chapel inside the Santo Stefano Complex, featuring bare brick walls, vaulted ceiling, and a suspended crucifix above the altar.

I seem to have a thing for church cloisters and courtyards. They’re strangely peaceful, and this one is no exception. It felt like a relief from the dark, solemn mood of the chapels themselves.

Quiet cloister courtyard at Santo Stefano in Bologna, featuring a central stone well, arched galleries, and a tall medieval brick bell tower.

The cloister is not the end of your visit, though. Head into the gift shop to access the last chapel and a small museum of religious artifacts.

Visitors’ Information

4. Basilica Patriarcale di San Domenico

If Florence gave you joy, this is where you’ll get a slab of that joy in Bologna.

The church is the most art-history-forward one in the city, packed with works by important Renaissance artists, whom I will name in a second.

At the time of visiting in November 2025, the entire main cathedral was under restoration, which is expected to be done by July 2026. But that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying a visit because…

Chapel of San Domenico inside the basilica, with the richly carved marble tomb of Saint Dominic surrounded by important Renaissance sculptures and a vibrant frescoed dome.

Inside the Chapel of San Domenico, which you’ll find to your right about halfway down the main cathedral, there is the arc of Saint Dominic, decorated with sculptures by Michelangelo, Nicola Pisano, and Alfonso Lombardi.

To top it off, a marble cornice by Niccolò dell’Arco. This exact arc was also how he became known as dell’Arco.

Peaceful cloister garden at Basilica di San Domenico, surrounded by arched colonnades and terracotta tiles, offering a quiet retreat from the city.
Covered walkway inside the cloister of Basilica di San Domenico in Bologna, lined with old tombstones and inscriptions on aged yellow walls.
Rear exterior view of Basilica di San Domenico's dome in Bologna, seen from the cloister garden with a statue set into a tall column below.

Don’t miss out on a good stroll around the cloister. The vibe was quite healing for me after an intense week of exploring, and I’m not even of this faith.

Like I said, it seems I do have a thing for church cloisters…

Visitors’ Information

5. Cattedrale Metropolitana di San Pietro

One of the oldest churches in the city, this cathedral’s original construction dates back to the 900s.

Despite its central location right on Via dell’Independenza, there were surprisingly few people visiting, mostly locals in prayer.

Central nave of Cattedrale di San Pietro in Bologna with its majestic barrel vault, frescoed apse, and golden cross altar glowing in natural light.
Side chapel inside San Pietro Cathedral in Bologna, featuring a tall painting flanked by marble columns and a gold-framed icon on the altar.
Detailed view of the grand pipe organ inside Cattedrale Metropolitana di San Pietro, framed by tall Corinthian columns and ornate wall carvings.

Its bell tower is the second-tallest tower in Bologna, which you can only visit by appointment as of November 2025.

I’ve never done it, but you can request a time by filling out the form on their website. A fee of €5 is expected at the beginning of your visit.

I imagine the view from up there would be quite worth the price, especially now that the tallest tower, Asinelli, is closed to the public until further notice.

Visitors’ Information

6. Chiesa dei Santi Bartolomeo e Gaetano

This church first caught my attention because of its beautiful dome protruding behind the two towers.

Despite its prime location, it’s somehow quite a hidden gem, with more locals visiting for worship and prayer.

Baroque interior of Chiesa dei Santi Bartolomeo e Gaetano in Bologna, featuring a high altar and dome flooded with natural light.

With its original construction dating back to the 11th century, this church was demolished and rebuilt multiple times through the centuries.

What you see today is from the latter half of the 17th century, with works of Bolognese masters like Ludovico Carracci and Guido Reni.

The entrance is on Strada Maggiore, to the right of Asinelli Tower.

Visitors’ Information

7. Santuario di Santa Maria della Vita

The last, and somehow least noticeable, church is hidden in plain sight. People (myself included) walk right by it multiple times as they look for a lunch spot in quadrilatero.

I paid attention to it for the first time from the Clock Tower, where its dome becomes much more noticeable.

Lavish altar of Santuario di Santa Maria della Vita with colorful marble columns, gilded artwork, and an elaborate frescoed ceiling overhead.

One of the highlights of this church is Niccolò dell’Arco’s The Lamentation over the Dead Christ, for which one needs to pay €8 for access.

The terracotta work is known for its unusually dramatic facial expression, which has been called “Scream of Stone.”

Take a quick peek inside the next time you’re headed into Mercato di Mezzo for a meal. Even the stunning baroque architecture inside the free-access chapel is worth a few minutes of your time.

Visitors’ Information

Church Etiquettes and Visiting Tips

  • Keep your voice down during the visit. You’re always louder than you think. (It echoes!)
  • Always double-check photography rules for each chapel.
  • Dress respectfully. Cover your shoulders and knees.
  • If mass is in session, avoid walking up the aisles. (I usually either hover in the back or leave.)

Resources to Help You Plan For Bologna

Before you go, here’s one last quick look the churches and what each offers. Use this to decide which ones you want to visit.

  • Famous Churches: Basilica di San Petronio, Santuario Santo Stefano, Madonna di San Luca
  • Renaissance sculptures & peaceful cloisters: Basilica di San Domenico
  • Local vibe: Cattedrale di San Pietro + Chiesa dei Santi Bartolomeo e Gaetano
  • Hidden Gem (nobody pays attention to): Santuario di Santa Maria della Vita

How many days are you in Bologna for? I’ve made itineraries for one day and two days, both include some of the churches on this list.

If you haven’t decided where to stay, check out the best walkable areas to base yourself in. You won’t even need a bus ride!

Bookmark my Italy Cultural Travel page for more guides on Bologna, as well as Florence.

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Vertical Pinterest graphic titled “Top 7 Churches in Bologna” with two images of ornate church interiors. The top half shows a frescoed dome with angels and saints bathed in divine light, while the bottom half features the richly decorated nave and altar of a grand Baroque church in Bologna.

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Petra Udomprasert is a career immersive travel blogger and the founder of Polyglot Petra. Believing in travel as a force that inspires empathy and respect in our world, she writes travel guides that deeply explore the history and culture of every destination she visits, leveraging her fluency in five different languages to access the local perspective. Through her immersive guides and localized language tips, she has helped tens of thousands of travelers enjoy trips that leave lasting positive impacts on their lives.