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Church · Verona, Vêneto
Basilica di San Zeno
Romanesque church from the 12th century dedicated to Verona's patron, with bronze doors, the Wheel of Fortune rose window, Mantegna's triptych and a crypt above the saint's tomb.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Basilica di San Zeno
The Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore was built over the tomb of Saint Zeno, bishop of Verona who died in the 4th century. The current church, in Romanesque style, is the result of a major reconstruction between the late 11th and 12th centuries, after several earlier churches on the same site. Beside it rise the bell tower and the tower of a former Benedictine monastery.
The façade has a large rose window called the Wheel of Fortune and a portal with stone reliefs. The wooden doors are covered with dozens of bronze plates depicting scenes from the Bible and the saint's life, made between the 11th and 12th centuries.
Inside, the nave has a timber ceiling shaped like the keel of a ship. On the high altar stands the triptych by Andrea Mantegna, from the second half of the 15th century. The church has three levels: the crypt below preserves the body of Saint Zeno; the presbytery is elevated, with 13th-century statues. Beside it, the Romanesque cloister has double arches.
The tourist visit is done with a ticket, managed by an association of Verona churches. According to local tradition, the crypt of San Zeno would be the place of Romeo and Juliet's secret marriage.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
45 minutes to 1 hour.
Best time
In the morning, outside mass times. Combine with Castelvecchio, nearby.
How to get there
It is in the San Zeno district, about a 25-minute walk from Piazza Bra or 15 minutes from Castelvecchio following the Ádige. City buses stop nearby.
Tip
Shoulders and knees covered to enter. There is a combined ticket for Verona's historic churches, which includes San Zeno, the cathedral, Sant'Anastasia and San Fermo. In the square in front, local bars are good for a break.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Basilica di San Zeno
Why is there an admission fee for San Zeno?
Tourist visits to Verona's main historic churches are managed by an association that charges admission for maintenance. There is a combined ticket for San Zeno, the cathedral, Sant'Anastasia and San Fermo.
What is Mantegna's triptych?
It is the altarpiece of the high altar, painted by Andrea Mantegna in the second half of the 15th century, featuring the Virgin, the Child and saints in three panels.
Did Romeo and Juliet get married in San Zeno?
It's a local tradition: the crypt is said to be the site of the secret marriage. The story is literary, with no historical record.