Bologna San Procolo Church
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San Procolo Church Photos
About San Procolo Church
This church is built over the subterranean church remains of St Sisto I that was built in the 4th century. This present one began to take shape from about 1087 when a new Basilica was commissioned. It was transformed many times under the Benedictine Order. In 1535 Antonio Morandi enlarged the building and which was subsequently completed by Andrea Formigine four years later.
At this first chapel on the right is a modern canvas of St Giovanni in Bosco, painted in 1939 by Guglielmone. It replaces an earlier 18th century work of St Geltrude.
Mantachetti was said to be the patron of this second chapel. The painting represents St Benedict wearing a typical robe of the Benedictine Order and accompanied by musical angels. Bartolomeo Cesi executed it early 1600s.
This is the Chapel of the Crucifixion. The ornate decoration on the altar here shows flowers surrounding the crucifixion in the middle. It was done in a particular type of polychrome by an unknown artist. Above it, hangs a sculpture and painted cross having come from the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie.
The last chapel here displays the passing of St Joseph by an unknown 17th century artist believed to be from the Bolognese school of art.
On the right hand transept is where an ancient organ should be. It’s probably undergoing restoration work.
The story of St Procolo tells us that he was martyred in the year 306 for defending the faith and according to another source for the apparent killing of Marino, the tyrannical governor of Bologna. For about 500 years the whereabouts of his bones were unknown. Then, in 1390 a Roman styled ark dating to around the 4th century was discovered and brought from an underground crypt and placed in the church. Part of it is on the other side of this altar. The relics of St Procolo can easily be seen now under this altar.
The original altar here of precious marble and ornately decorated was designed by Torregiani in 1745. At one time it was the custodian of St Procolo’s bones as noticed from an inscription at the back.
These marvellous baroque choir stalls were constructed by the hand of Giulio Torri in 1579 but then modified over a century later by Carlo Francesco Dotti.
The small work here is by an unknown painter from the Bolognese school from the 17th century. Above it is a grand fresco attributed to Giuseppe Predetti mid 1700s. It represents the martyrdom of St Procolo and tells the legend that after his decapitation the martyr brought his head to the place where it’s said his church was to be built.
This chapel going down the left hand side nave is dedicated to St Antonio of Padova. It was partly decorated by Antonio Bibiena and Scandellari. The large canvas by Carlo Cignani late 1600s, depicts St Ciro a doctor and martyr on his knees praying.
The Parrocchiani family were patrons of this second chapel dedicated to the Virgin behind these iron gates from the 18th century. On either side are relics behind glass cases.
The Isolani family were patrons of this next chapel of the Sacred Heart. The rich architectonics and decoration were designed by Torreggiani. The two oval paintings depict two angels executed late 1600s by Carlo Giovannini from Parma.
Seranfini were the patrons of this last chapel. It was decorated by Petronio Rizzi in the first half of the 19th century. The canvas represents St Mauro who helped animals and the poor. It was completed by Ercole Griziani mid 1700s.
Finally, above the entrance here is this last painting of the Virgin repenting. The author was Francesco Correggio having completed it in 1653.
References
Raule Angelo, La Chiesa e L’Abbazia di San Procolo in Bologna, Bologna 1959.