The Cathedral of Bologna was built on the site of an older church in 1028, destroyed by fire. Over the following centuries the church was rebuilt many times by various architects, including completely, so that today there is no trace of the original Roman-Gothic design. But in the interior of the cathedral you can see valuable frescos and medieval sculptures

After the fire the church was restored in 1184 ., in 1396 g . to the western facade was added a high portico (it was rebuilt in 1467 g .) . About 1477 g . artists Francesco del Cos and Ecole de Roberti worked on the chapel of Garganelli, creating a series of frescoes that later greatly influenced the work of Michelangelo . Alas, the frescoes were lost in the course of subsequent reconstructions, and to this day only a very few of their fragments have reached . In 1582 the . church received the status of the metro full .In 1575, . by order of Cardinal Paleotti, a global renovation of the interior began, which led to the collapse of the vaults in 1599 ., so that the rest of the cathedral had to be rebuilt . The work began in 1605 ., and the new facade was added in 1747 .

The interior of the cathedral in his The present form is made in the Baroque style and creates the impression of greatness and power. Among the works of art can be noted the fresco "Annunciation" by Ludovico Caracci, the Roman crucifix from cedar and the group "Lamentation of the Dead Christ" by Alfonso Lombardi of the beginning of the 16th century. The original bell-tower on the round base was not rebuilt, and the design of the 11th century is still well discernible. The bell is set to La Nonna, a bell weighing 3300 kg, the largest bell that can be called by the Bolognese Bell Method

Practical Information

Address: Via Independenza, 7.

Working Time: from 7: 30 to 18:45 from Monday to Friday and from 8:00 to 18:45 at the weekend. The treasury is open on Sundays from 15:30 to 17:30, admission is free.