Chiesa di San Paolo Maggiore (Church of St. Paul the Greater), Bologna

Constructed in the early 1600s in Baroque style, this church was commissioned by the Barnabites, a Catholic order belonging to the Clerics Regular of Saint Paul. In the 1630s, its elegant façade in brick and stone, adorned with statues of Saints Peter and Paul, was added.

Inside, the vaults were splendidly decorated by Antonio and Giuseppe Rolli, illustrating the exploits of Saint Paul at the Areopagus in Athens (Antonio tragically died after a fall from a scaffold, and his brother completed the work). Above the altar, notable paintings by renowned Bolognese artists such as Guercino, Giuseppe Maria Crespi, and Lodovico Carracci depict the famous "Paradiso". The opulent high altar is particularly striking, featuring a sculpture of the "Decollation of Saint Paul", commissioned by the Barnabites and crafted by the Bolognese artist Alessandro Algardi (who also created the medallion adorning the front of the altar and the tabernacle).

Church and art enthusiasts will undoubtedly find ample delight here, as myriad intricate details beckon admiration. And once you've indulged your eyes, you can bask in the tranquility and serenity of the surroundings.