Visiting the Basilica of San Petronio in Bologna is an artistic and historical experience, but also a journey into the heart of Bolognese spirituality and identity. The Basilica is a place that preserves centuries of tradition and is an essential stop for anyone who wants to understand the true soul of the city of Bologna.
Visit to the Basilica of San Petronio
The “Basilica of the Bolognese” is open to everyone: citizens, tourists, and visitors of all kinds. The Basilica of San Petronio promotes the values of openness, inclusion, and hospitality that inspired the construction of the temple centuries ago.
Everyone is welcome at the Basilica of San Petronio: those who want to explore its artistic heritage and those seeking a moment of spirituality will find that the Basilica offers meaningful experiences.
Reservation is mandatory for groups of 15 or more people and for school groups, regardless of the number of participants.
Visit to the Basilica of San Petronio
The “Basilica of the Bolognese” is open to everyone: citizens, tourists, and visitors of all kinds. The Basilica of San Petronio promotes the values of openness, inclusion, and hospitality that inspired the construction of the temple centuries ago.
Everyone is welcome at the Basilica of San Petronio: those who want to explore its artistic heritage and those seeking a moment of spirituality will find that the Basilica offers meaningful experiences.
Reservation is mandatory for groups of 15 or more people and for school groups, regardless of the number of participants.
You can also visit
Museum of San Petronio
Bookshop
The sundial
Chapels
Days with Changes to Guided Tours
Visitors are kindly informed that on certain dates the Basilica of San Petronio does not allow guided tours in the afternoon, in order to accommodate liturgical celebrations.
Affected dates:
October 4 – Feast of Saint Petronius
December 8 – Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
December 31 – Celebration of the Te Deum
*Any additional closure dates or schedule changes will be promptly announced through the Basilica’s official website and social media channels.
Individual visitors or adult groups of fewer than 15 people
The visit to the Basilica is free of charge and does not require a reservation.
In order to visit the Chapel of Re Magi (Bolognini), the Chapel di San Sebastiano and the Chapel of San Vincenzo Ferrer:
Buy the paid tour on site (full price 5 euro, reduced price 3 euro).
No reservation is required (unlike for groups of 10 or more people).
To visit the interior of other individual chapels and/or the Presbytery:
Submit your visit request at least one week in advance by emailing prenotazioni@basilicadisanpetronio.org and indicating the chapels you wish to visit.
Wait for the booking confirmation.
The visit inside the chapels costs €3 per person for each individual chapel and for the Presbytery, payable on site.
No reductions or free admissions are available.
If you have any doubts or questions about the visits, please send an email to:prenotazioni@basilicadisanpetronio.org
Groups of 15 or more people
The visit to the Basilica is free of charge for groups of adults and university students. For these groups, it is mandatory to use radio guides (the Basilica does not provide them) and to make a reservation by writing to prenotazioni@basilicadisanpetronio.org if the group consists of 15 or more people.
When booking via email, specify whether you want to include:
The paid tour that includes visits to the Chapel of Re Magi, the Chapel of San Sebastiano and the Chapel of San Vincenzo Ferrer (full price 5 euro, reduced price 3 euro).
The visit inside other individual chapels and/or the Presbytery, specifying those of interest (€3 per person for each individual chapel and for the Presbytery; by reservation only via email at least one week in advance; no discounts or free admission available).
For further information regarding payment methods, please click on the dedicated link.
Once you’ve e-mailed your request, wait for the booking confirmation.
School groups, parish groups, Scouts, summer camps, exchange students
School groups, parish groups, scouts, summer camps and exchange students may visit the Basilica only from 11:40 am onwards.
The cost of the visit is €2.00 per person (teachers and chaperones included), with no variation based on the number of participants.
Admission is free for children under 10, elementary school pupils, persons with certified disabilities, and university students with a valid student card.
It is mandatory to use radio guides (the Basilica does not provide them), to be accompanied by a licensed tour guide (the Basilica does not provide tour guides), and to make a reservation by writing to prenotazioni@basilicadisanpetronio.org at least one week before the desired date of the visit.
When booking via email, specify whether you want to include:
The paid tour includes a visit to the Chapel of the Magi (Bolognini), the Chapel of St. Sebastian, and the Chapel of St. Vincent Ferrer (2 euro, teachers and chaperones included).
The visit inside other individual chapels and the Presbytery, specifying those of interest (€3 per person for each individual chapel and for the Presbytery; no discounts or free admission available).
Payment of the admission fee must be made by bank transfer (instructions for the transfer will be provided via email).
To confirm the reservation, payment must be made by bank transfer and the payment receipt sent within five days prior to the visit. If payment is not received within the specified time, the reservation will be automatically cancelled and entry will not be permitted.
Other special visits
By email reservation only, with at least three weeks’ notice. Fees and any other requests must be arranged via email; please write well in advance to prenotazioni@basilicadisanpetronio.org
Evening opening outside regular hours
Crypts*, Appartamento del Predicatore, Sacristy, and Sala Musica*
Bell Tower*, Roofspace*
Organs and Choir Loft
Please note: for the visits listed above, it is mandatory to be accompanied by a licensed tour guide trained in the safety regulations of the restricted areas of the Basilica.
For visits to the Crypts, the Bell Tower, and the Roof Structure: comfortable clothing is required (sneakers, suitable attire). Claustrophobia, vertigo, cardiovascular or motor problems must not be present (there are no elevators or lifts). Participation is allowed only for those who are at least 18 years old at the time of the visit, even if accompanied. If even one of these requirements is not met, the visit will not be permitted for safety reasons.
Invoices and payments
If an invoice is required, it must be requested by email at the time of booking, and payment must be made at least one week prior to the date of the visit.
On site payments are allowed with the issue of a fiscal receipt only.
Rules
Access is restricted to clothing appropriate to the place of worship.