Basilica di San Domenico
Basilica di San Domenico
4.5
Historic SitesReligious SitesChurches & Cathedrals
8:30 AM - 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 1:00 PM
3:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 1:00 PM
3:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 1:00 PM
3:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 1:00 PM
3:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 1:00 PM
3:00 PM - 7:30 PM
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Santo Stefano
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See what travellers are saying
  • Marion M
    Nyon District, Switzerland571 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing exterior
    The amazing extérieur is something we have never seen before. Seems unfinished with the top half simply bricks. The inside is enormous with lots to see. The tomb of san domenico is beautiful with an imposing reliquary underneath and statues and carvings. One angel by Michelangelo done when he was only 20 years old.
    Visited March 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 1 April 2023
  • misterfuss
    82 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Go to see the piazza outside the basilica
    This is undoubtedly a great basilica, but the style of the interior did not appeal to me. However, the monumental black and white marble Sarcofago di Taddeo Pepoli is gorgeous, with sumptuous alternating black and white bands of marble, and in some places a checkerboard pattern of the same. If the horizontal black and white banding looks similar to a church in Pisa or Lucca, it is because the sculptor was from Pisa! It separates the Cappella del Sacro Cuore from a side chapel, so the front and back are visible from different chapels. For me, I liked the piazza outside the basilica best. The Colonna Madonna del Rosario, the Arca di Rolandino de' Passeggeri, and the Arca di Egidio Foscherari are located there. The exterior brick structure of the basilica is complex and interesting. It is a beautiful backdrop to the aforementioned medieval monuments. I was fascinated with the byzantine looking arch on the Arca di Egidio Foscherari and the ceramic green tiles. The Arca di Rolandino de' Passeggeri is fascinating and most peculiar, a sarcophagus elevated on slender Gothic columns.
    Visited November 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 7 December 2023
  • Angelo S
    Hilliard, Ohio3,630 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful Honor to Saint Dominic
    Tucked away in the heart of Bologna and overshadowed by San Petronio and Santo Stefano is this beautiful Baroque church with a Romanesque facade that contains the mortal remains of Saint Dominic, founder of the Dominican order. Outside, there is a large piazza containing a statue of Saint Dominic and two tombs with room to walk, and sit to admire the front of the basilica. The chapel where the arc containing his remains is highlighted with three statues carved by Michaelangelo. All around the church are wonderful pieces by Lippi, Reni, Todeschi, Torelli and a host of others. If you are an art lover, you can spend hours here admiring the works without the large crowds at San Petronio or Santo Stefano.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 13 December 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles919 reviews
Excellent
573
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Average
47
Poor
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Angelo S
Hilliard, OH3,630 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Couples
Tucked away in the heart of Bologna and overshadowed by San Petronio and Santo Stefano is this beautiful Baroque church with a Romanesque facade that contains the mortal remains of Saint Dominic, founder of the Dominican order.

Outside, there is a large piazza containing a statue of Saint Dominic and two tombs with room to walk, and sit to admire the front of the basilica.

The chapel where the arc containing his remains is highlighted with three statues carved by Michaelangelo. All around the church are wonderful pieces by Lippi, Reni, Todeschi, Torelli and a host of others. If you are an art lover, you can spend hours here admiring the works without the large crowds at San Petronio or Santo Stefano.
Written 13 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

misterfuss
San Francisco, California82 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Solo
This is undoubtedly a great basilica, but the style of the interior did not appeal to me. However, the monumental black and white marble Sarcofago di Taddeo Pepoli is gorgeous, with sumptuous alternating black and white bands of marble, and in some places a checkerboard pattern of the same. If the horizontal black and white banding looks similar to a church in Pisa or Lucca, it is because the sculptor was from Pisa! It separates the Cappella del Sacro Cuore from a side chapel, so the front and back are visible from different chapels.
For me, I liked the piazza outside the basilica best. The Colonna Madonna del Rosario, the Arca di Rolandino de' Passeggeri, and the Arca di Egidio Foscherari are located there. The exterior brick structure of the basilica is complex and interesting. It is a beautiful backdrop to the aforementioned medieval monuments. I was fascinated with the byzantine looking arch on the Arca di Egidio Foscherari and the ceramic green tiles. The Arca di Rolandino de' Passeggeri is fascinating and most peculiar, a sarcophagus elevated on slender Gothic columns.
Written 8 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

macedonboy
Glasgow, UK179,692 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2023
This church is one of the major churches of Italy as it houses the remains and shrine of Saint Dominic, the founder of the Dominican Order. The exterior is mainly Romanesque, although the interior has clearly been remodelled in Baroque. There are two outstanding chapels worth seeking out, the Rosary Chapel and St. Dominic's chapel. Both are elaborately decorated even by the standards of Baroque.

The Rosary chapel has an emphasis on Mary, with many of the paintings referencing her life. The centrepiece of the chapel is the altarpiece in gold, with an image of Mary and Infant Jesus.

The chapel of Saint Dominic holds the Arca di San Domenico, the monument containing the remains of Saint Domini, and is richly decorated with reliefs recounting the life and miracles of Saint Dominic in a series of carved panels. Above the sarcophagus, there are sculptures of saints looking down upon the saint, including those of the Four Doctors of the Church.
Written 19 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

stanmansurrey
Thames Ditton, UK3,506 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2023 • Couples
The understated piazza with 2 columns, 2 raised sarcophagi and plain Romanesque Basilica façade hides an extraordinary interior of Baroque art. Dedicated to the Founder of the Dominican Order
You do not immediately see it, the nave is tall, light, white with decorated columns and cupola, facing toward the high altar. However... before reaching the transept, on the right the San Domenico Chapel; on the left, the Rosary Chapel. You do not have to be religious or have an architectural understanding to appreciate the mind-blowing quality of work to be seen.
The San Domenico Chapel with wonderful cupola frescos holds the tomb of the saint - an exquisite sarcophagus made by Pisano with very detailed panels showing the life of San Domenico and with statuettes (including by Michelangelo - San Petronio, San Procolo, and on the right front corner, an angel candleholder) topped by an ornate crowning with angels, dolphins, festoons of fruit and a statuette of the Lord.
The Rosary Chapel, again with beautiful frescos above and the Altar piece with the image of the Madonna framed by a group of of paintings called the Mysteries of the Rosary. Mozart is reputed to have practised on the organ in this chapel.

I was so distracted by these two chapels that I missed other worthy art and I am somewhat irked that I didn't take sufficient time to really look.
I would recommend a visit and advise to take time to appreciate what is here. It is not a tourist-dominated location and a mere 5 minutes' walk from Piazza Maggiore. I consider it the most impressive church in Bologna.
Written 28 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Marion M
Nyon District, Switzerland571 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023 • Friends
The amazing extérieur is something we have never seen before. Seems unfinished with the top half simply bricks. The inside is enormous with lots to see. The tomb of san domenico is beautiful with an imposing reliquary underneath and statues and carvings. One angel by Michelangelo done when he was only 20 years old.
Written 1 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Francisco Jose Fernandez Sanchez
Las Rozas, Spain557 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2022
Its remains of Saint Dominic, founder of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans), are buried inside the exquisite shrine Arca di San Domenico
The big basilica was divided in two parts:
the front part, called “internal church”, was the church of the brothers, the called The two basilicas are extraordinary, however I recommend a detailed visit of the oldest, which preserves the most primitive remains. church”, with the simple columns and the trussed flat roof of the old church.
The square in front of the church was built in medieval times, and it is worth stopping there to contemplate the exterior of the first church
The church's small museum houses many important works of art and a wide collection of precious reliquaries, chalices and monstrances.
Written 22 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

jordanellie41
Longridge, UK1,069 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2023
This church is set in a large square and has no noteworthy features on it's facade. If you walk round to it's left side you will see it goes back a very long way. Once inside at first glance it's another big church with large pillars, lots of alcoves and paintings. The altar and ceiling are very ordinary too. Then bang, you are struck by two alcoves opposite each other half way down that will blow your mind. To the right is a double dome with fantastic frescos on it's ceilings, there's also a small altar with a splendid intricate carving that has to be seen. Below the frescos are mini alcoves on it's back wall with white figurines inside each of them. Opposite in the other alcove it gets even better, once again there's majestic frescos to the ceiling and walls, there's two delightful little balconies on the walls in gold, and the unbelievable sight in front of you. Mary sits in the middle - a multi coloured figurine - around her are exquisite prints surrounded in gold leaf. There's four small pillars in violet to her sides and in front are two foot high white candles in gold leaf stands. All designs to the front are also in gold leaf. At the very top there's two big white statues. This is an absolute masterpiece and not to be missed.
Written 19 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

janettoli
New York City, NY240 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2022
We walked here to see this since its my husband namesake. We were lucky enough to be there during a wedding ceremony. Absolutely beautiful worth checking it out. Very close to the mall.
Written 17 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lynn C
8 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2022
Stopped for coffee nearby and was diected here by owner. Charming couple, popped back for lunch after Basillica
Written 1 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Debbie Stan
Sheffield, UK28 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022
Not religious at all, but worth a visit to see the engineering and stone work. Another Italian beautiful cathedral. Worth a visit. There’s a meridian line that’s particularly interesting on the floor of the cathedral. The longest in Europe apparently.
Written 19 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Basilica di San Domenico, Bologna

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