Basilica of San Domenico, Perugia

The Basilica of San Domenico in Perugia is a significant Roman Catholic church located at Piazza Giordano Bruno and via del Castellano in the Umbria region. Its history traces back to the 5th century when a church known as Parish Church of Santo Stefano del Castellare occupied the site. The current structure evolved from San Domenico Vecchio, constructed in 1304 to accommodate the growing Dominican Order. Renowned architect Giovanni Pisano is credited with its design, featuring a layout inspired by northern European Hallenkirche plans. The church was consecrated in 1459.

By the early 17th century, structural issues rendered San Domenico Vecchio unsafe, prompting a major renovation. In 1629–1632, Carlo Maderno, famous for his work on St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, redesigned the interior. His design brought a striking resemblance to the St. Peter's nave, albeit with smaller lateral windows. The façade retains a late 16th-century portal and is accessed via a double Baroque staircase.

Fragments of the earlier church remain, including the cloister (1455–1579), the chapel of Saint Catherine, and a grand Gothic rose window, created in 1411 by Bartolomeo di Pietro and Mariotto di Nardo. The bell tower, initially towering at 126 meters, was reduced to its current height of 60 meters for stability reasons. Its Gothic windows, originally adorned with intricate marble tracery, have partially survived, with one reconstructed in 1949.

The basilica preserves several historical treasures, such as the funerary monument of Pope Benedict XI (1304), attributed to a pupil of Arnolfo di Cambio, and the Chapel of the Rosary's altar (1459) by Agostino di Duccio. It also houses late 14th-century wooden choir stalls and 14th-15th-century frescoes in the Chapel of Saint Catherine.

Adjacent to the basilica, the cloister accommodates the National Archaeological Museum of Umbria, showcasing an extensive collection of prehistoric, Roman, and Etruscan artifacts excavated across the region, enriching the site’s historical significance.