San Petronio

church, Bologna, Italy

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 13, 2026

Quick Summary

The Basilica of San Petronio is a prominent church located in Bologna, Italy. Construction began in 1390, but it was never fully completed. This basilica is one of many significant churches in Bologna, a city with a rich history dating back to Etruscan and Roman times. Bologna itself is the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region and is known for its arcaded streets and leaning towers. The city is also home to one of Europe's oldest universities, founded in the 11th century.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Jacopo della Quercia
…sculpture around the portal of San Petronio at Bologna. The 10 scenes from Genesis, including The Creation of Eve, 5 scenes from the early life of Christ, the reliefs of prophets, and the statues of the Virgin and Child with Saints Petronius and Ambrose give a sense of depth often…
Read More
…sculpture around the portal of San Petronio at Bologna. The 10 scenes from Genesis, including The Creation of Eve, 5 scenes from the early life of Christ, the reliefs of prophets, and the statues of the Virgin and Child with Saints Petronius and Ambrose give a sense of depth often…
Read More