Basilica di San Petronio Guide: Free Entry, Chapel Prices & Pass Coverage
30 - 45 min
Basilica / Gothic Church
Construction begun 1390; largest brick Gothic church in the world
Piazza Maggiore, 40124 Bologna, Italy
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Practical Visitor Info & Tips
€0.00
€3.00
Daily 10:00-18:00 (last entry 17:50)
reservation.optionalAdvanceBooking
| Standard, daily | Basilica di San Petronio | 10:00 - 18:00 |
Last Admission: 17:50.
Closed On: Not stated as closed on specific annual dates on the pages reviewed — treat as NEEDS_VERIFICATION if a specific closure date is required.
Free Admission Dates: The nave and museum are free every day. School/parish groups pay €2.00 per person (free for under-10s, elementary pupils, disabled visitors with certification, university students).
The Meridian Line of Cassini (1655), a 67-meter brass sundial line in the basilica floor, is included in the free nave visit.
| Option | Price | Booking | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basilica nave & museum | €0.00 | No ticket needed | |
| Three chapels, individual ticket (full) | €5.00 | Official site, optional advance booking | |
| Three chapels, individual ticket (reduced) | €3.00 | Official site, optional advance booking | |
| Bologna Welcome Card PLUS (chapels included) | €55.00 | Bologna Welcome, online |
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Ticket Options
€0.00
Check whether a city pass already covers this attraction before buying separately.
See pass compatibility below ↓Overview & Visitor Introduction
Basilica di San Petronio dominates the south side of Piazza Maggiore — the largest brick Gothic church in the world, and Bologna's civic basilica dedicated to the city's patron saint. Its lower facade is finished in pink Verona marble while the upper two-thirds remain bare brick, a visibly unfinished project abandoned centuries ago.
The basilica's nave and museum are free to enter, but three side chapels — the Bolognini (Chapel of the Magi), San Sebastiano, and San Vincenzo Ferrer — require a separate paid ticket, and the building also houses the world's largest astronomical sundial line, the 1655 Meridian Line of Cassini set into the floor.
What to See: Top Highlights
Meridian Line of Cassini
A 67-meter brass sundial line set into the basilica floor in 1655 by astronomer Gian Domenico Cassini — one of the world's largest astronomical instruments of its kind.
Chapel of the Magi (Bolognini Chapel)
Frescoes by Giovanni da Modena, including a famous 15th-century depiction of the afterlife — one of three paid side chapels.
The Unfinished Facade
Pink marble covers only the lower section; the bare brick above shows the facade was never completed as originally planned.
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Pass Compatibility
Compare Bologna PassesThe basilica nave and museum are free regardless of any pass. The three side chapels (€5 full / €3 reduced as an individual ticket) are included only on the Bologna Welcome Card PLUS (€55) — the cheaper EASY tier (€35) does not include them. Turbopass and Go City are both confirmed to NOT operate in Bologna.
Bologna Welcome Card EASY
Not included. The EASY tier's official inclusion list does not name San Petronio's three side chapels. The basilica's free nave and museum need no card anyway.
Bologna Welcome Card PLUS
Included. You must reserve your entry time directly with the official provider. Covers all three side chapels (Bolognini/Chapel of the Magi, San Sebastiano, San Vincenzo Ferrer). The basilica's nave and museum are free regardless of this card.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Basilica di San Petronio free to visit?
What do the San Petronio chapels cost?
Does the Bologna Welcome Card include San Petronio's chapels?
What is the Meridian Line of Cassini?
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