Basilica di San Martino

Worth a visit if you happen to be passing, as we were. A cavernous but rather somber looking interior with lots of side chapels. On one side of the main alter is highly decorated chapel on the other a rather nice baptistery with original frescoes.

San Martino church, also called San Martino Maggiore is a Gothic-style, Roman Catholic church located at the corner of Via Marsala and Via Guglielmo Oberdan in Bologna, region of Emilia Romagna, Italy. The church was founded by the adjacent Carmelite monastery. On 10 August 1704 via the authority of the Vatican Chapter, the venerated image of the Virgin of Mount Carmel was crowned by Pope Clement XI. On 25 August 1941, Pope Pius XII elevated it to the status of basilica.

A church at the site was built in 1217. The brick tracery vaults of the ceiling were added in 1457. The present facade was added in 1879, in an Gothic style, and displays statues of various saints. Atop a pillar in the piazza just in front of the church is a statue of the Madonna and Child with a Scapular (1705) by Andrea Ferreri. In the lunette above the side entrance portal is a bas-relief of St Martin on horseback giving half his robe to a Beggar (1531) by Francesco Manzini; the portal has a classical decoration with bucranium (cow skulls)

Yet another beautiful church in Italy. We happened to visit on a Monday morning after the morning service and it was not crowded and very quiet. A simple space without a decorated ceiling, it is a place of beauty and worship.

Peaceful stop.

Perfect place to visit a 500 years old church and to pray and relax your mind and soul with one a beautiful altar for Carmel Mother Mary.

Good Church!

Free entry and beautiful art.