Saint George's Basilica, Renaissance basilica in Ferrara, Italy
Saint George's Basilica is a former cathedral and current Benedictine abbey church in Renaissance style, standing in Ferrara in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy. Its stone facade carries a large bas-relief of Saint George above the main portal, and the interior holds paintings, sculptures, and tombs from several centuries.
The church was founded in the 10th century as Ferrara's first cathedral before being converted into a Benedictine abbey. In 1485, the architect Biagio Rossetti directed major works that gave the building the Renaissance form it still has today.
The name of the church comes from Saint George, and a carved stone relief showing his fight against a dragon appears directly above the main entrance. This image is the first thing visitors notice and sets the tone for the whole building.
The basilica stands just outside Ferrara's historic center and can be reached on foot from the old city in a short walk. As the building is still an active abbey church, wearing modest clothing is a good idea before visiting.
The basilica holds the tomb of Cosmè Tura, one of the leading painters of the 15th-century Ferrara school, buried near the bell tower. Many visitors come for the architecture but leave without knowing that a key figure of Italian Renaissance painting rests here.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
