Exterior view

San Francesco in Bologna is a brick construction typical of the Lombard and Emilian plain. It hides behind a massive screen façade in the Romanesque tradition of Parma, Piacenza, and Pavia. The plan with its ambulatory and nine separate radiating chapels is reminiscent of the Île de France. Externally the formal build-up of the choir reflects the transformation of French forms upon Emilian soil. The massive flying buttresses press against the flat pilasters that define the angles of the faceted choir.

The photo shows the choir.

View the ground plan of the San Francesco, Bologna.