Chiesa di Santa Lucia (Church of St. Lucy), Bologna

You can't miss this former church smack dab in the center of the Old Town square. Built in 1623 on the site of an ancient structure from 1208, this grandiose edifice commissioned by the Jesuits features a single nave layout reminiscent of Rome's Church of the Gesù, bedecked with intricate stucco decorations. Despite its allure, the facade, apse, and dome remain incomplete.

Step inside, and you'll encounter a sculpture of the Madonna and Child crafted by artist Giuseppe Mazza. While the church stopped its ecclesiastical duties after a restoration in 1988, it found new life as the lecture hall for the University of Bologna, hosting a myriad of ceremonies, conferences, and concerts by the university orchestra. Catching a concert here is an excellent excuse to soak in the splendor of this majestic auditorium.