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Metropolitan Cathedral of San Pietro

Religious building, Bologna

Metropolitan Cathedral of San Pietro: Attraction informations

Contrary to what you might think, the cathedral of Bologna is not the Basilica San Petronio on Piazza Maggiore, but the church of San Pietro in Via Indipendenza, not very far from San Petronio.

The first eye-catching element of this building is the marble and bricks facade by Alfonso Torreggiani, designed in 1747. Today’s look of the cathedral dates back to 1605 though, when Floriano Ambrosini ended the total remake of the original early Christian structure (10th century). The name “metropolitan cathedral” was given in 1582, when Bologna’s diocese became an episcopal seat thanks to Pope Gregory XIII.

The works housed inside the church are a testimony of its importance and richness. For instance, over the apse you can see the last work of Ludovico Carracci, a famous painter of Bologna, an “Annunciazione” (Annunciation) made in 1619. In one of the side chapels, you can admire a “Pietà” (Piety) by Alfonso Lombardi painted in 1522. Among the painters that have worked here we can also mention Prospero Fontana and Donato Creti.

One of the features of this church is its 70 metre-high bell tower, made of two main bodies inserted one into the other and built in the 10th and 13th century. Looking at Bologna’s skyline, San Pietro’s bell tower is easy to notice: given its height, it is the second highest tower after Asinelli (one of the Two Towers). It also boasts a pointed pinnacle.

The bell tower hides a record as well. By climbing to the top, you can reach the belfry that houses the so-called “nonna” (granny), the biggest manually operated bell in the world being 3300 kg heavy. In the 1500s Bologna developed its own way of ringing the bells, that in the Cathedral of San Pietro required the work of 30 bell ringers. Another important reason to go up the stairs and reach the top of the tower is that you can enjoy a wonderful view of Bologna’s roofs.

Every year in May, the cathedral is home to a holy, unique and deeply felt religious event in Bologna. The church hosts the image of the blessed Virgin of San Luca, the “black” Madonna that protects Bologna from the top of the sanctuary of the same name, set on Colle della Guardia hill. The procession that carries it from the hill towards San Pietro, where it remains exposed for a week, recalls the Virgin Mary’s salvific intervention which made the devastating pouring rain cease in the spring of 1433.