The first Franciscan monks arrived in Bologna in 1211. St Francis himself visited Bologna in 1222 and preached in Piazza Maggiore, attracting a larger number of followers.
In 1236 the town council donated some land just outside the city walls and work began on the first Basilica in Italy dedicated to the saint from Assisi. Pope Innocent IV consecrated the high alter of this splendid basilica in 1251. The alter was restored between 1588 and 1593 with the addition of a beautiful marble alterpiece by the venetian sculpters, Jacopo and Pier Paolo delle Masegne.

The Basilica of Saint Francis, interior

The basilica was completed in 1263. There are nine chapels around the apse, while on the southern side you can find the monastic complex with its two cloisters and two refectories. The whole edifice is simple and austere. In the left nave you can also admire the tomb of pope Alexander V who died in Bologna in 1410.
Outside the church, in front of the apse, you can see the tombs of three Glossatori (medieval jurists): Francesco d’Accursio, Odofredo Denari and Rolandino de’ Romanzi.  
The basilica has two bell towers. The smaller of the two dates from 1260 whereas the unfinished larger tower, was designed by Antonio di Vincenzo in 1397. Di Vincenzo was also responsible for Muzzarelli family chapel inside the main church.

In 1796 the occupying French forces sacked the monastery and used it as a barracks. The church was only briefly reopened for worship in 1842 but soon afterwards was used as a warehouse.  In 1886 Franciscan monks managed to return but since they were only able to use part of the monastery it was decided that the time had come  time to restore the original aspect of the complex. The  restoration work was carried out over twenty years from 1886 to 1906  by Alfonso Rubbiano.
During the second world war the complex was bombed, reducing it to rubble but happily, in 1949, the town council decided to restore the basilica to its original splendour which you admire today.

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