Basilica di San Petronio

The Basilica di San Petronio dominates the south side of Piazza Maggiore in Bologna, Emilia-Romagna. Begun in 1390 to a Gothic design, it is among the largest brick churches in the world, and its facade is famously unfinished: only the lower portion is clad in pink and white marble, while the upper part remains bare brick. Inside, the nave rises to soaring Gothic vaults, flanked by more than twenty side chapels. Visitors walk the length of the church to see the chapels of the Bolognini family, notably the one with fifteenth-century frescoes of the Last Judgement and scenes of Heaven and Hell, and the carved main doorway by Jacopo della Quercia. The most celebrated feature is the meridian line laid into the floor of the left aisle in 1655 by the astronomer Giovanni Domenico Cassini, one of the longest indoor sundials in the world; a small hole in the vault projects a spot of sunlight onto the line at midday, and the position of the spot marks the date. A visit usually takes 45 to 60 minutes. The best photograph of the facade is from the far side of the square, and the best view of the nave is from the entrance doors looking toward the high altar. The nave is cool and dim, so a steady hand or higher ISO helps. Crowds peak at midday and on weekends, with tour groups clustered near the doorway; a weekday morning is calmest. Entry is free but modest dress is expected, with shoulders and knees covered, and the basilica closes for services and events, so it pays to check the official website for current hours. Photography without flash is generally tolerated, though a permit or fee may apply in some cases. The basilica pairs naturally with the Archiginnasio, which stands directly behind it.