Basilica di San Domenico

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About Basilica di San Domenico

Dominic de Guzmán, the Spanish saint who founded the Order of Preachers, died in Bologna in 1221 at the convent that now bears his name. The basilica was enlarged throughout the 13th century to receive his tomb and underwent Baroque renovations in the 18th century.

The Arca di San Domenico, in the saint's chapel to the right of the nave, is the monumental tomb. The sarcophagus was carved by the workshop of Nicola Pisano in the 13th century. In the 15th century, Niccolò da Bari added the crowning and the angel on the left, and thereafter he became known as Niccolò dell'Arca.

In 1494, at the age of 19, Michelangelo carved three small figures for the Arca: the angel holding the candelabrum on the right, Saint Petronius and Saint Proculus. They are among the artist's earliest known works. In the 16th century, Alfonso Lombardi completed the base with scenes from the saint's life.

The basilica also houses paintings by Guido Reni on the chapel vault and a 16th-century marquetry wooden choir. In the square in front are two medieval tombs of law professors, set on columns.