santa maria della vita

This sanctuary has a magnificent dome perhaps the biggest in Bologna. Also in this church one can see 'The Lament over the Dead Christ' by Nicolo' dell'Arca which in my opinion is fabuluos. We also liked the museum and the baroque oratory where we could admire the sculptures by Alfonso Lombardi-;The funerals of Our Lady'.

In the Church you can find the "Compianto" by Niccolò dell'Arca. It's an incredible group of statues, you must see it, it's pretty unique

Do spend 15 minutes inside when you walk across. The 'Compianto sul Cristo morto' is worth much more than that.

I wish I could shrink this church and bring it home with me so that every Sunday I could sit in a different place and just look at all the amazing side altars, wall paintings and carvings. I sat in church this morning looking at blank white walls and wished I was there.

I had a few hours to wander Bologna one afternoon and came upon this church. Like almost all churches in Italy, this one is no exception as the art is incredible however, one unique item inside is the set of sculptures by Niccola Dell'Arca. The sculptures represent various persons who are around Jesus after taken down from the cross, Mary, Mary Magdalene, John and others.One of the brochures or plaques mentioned the expressions of pain and grief were likely influenced by the patients of the hospital run by the church. It always amazes me that although paintings and statues were created several hundred years ago, the emotions and features look like they could be on the faces of those living today.

There is a beautiful terracotta piece in this church 'Compianto sul Cristo morto' by Niccolò dell'Arca. It is a beautiful piece with unbelievably detailed expression from the people seeing the death of the Christ. There is another piece by dell'Arca on the second floor of the connected building. Don't miss it!

This is the church hosting the famous "Compianto" by Niccolo Dell'Arca which is one of the most beautiful piece of art I have ever seen. Upstairs there is another Compianto located in a chapel with other beautiful paintings. A must see in Bologna.

Followed my guide book and found this little treasure, you can easily miss it on the Via in such an unassuming looking church among the hustle and bustle.Wasn't sure I was in the right place, until I turned right at the top of the church, and there was the most evocative sculpture I think I have seen. The movement and emotion sketched on the Three Marys is heart rending. A must see.

See some of Michaelangelo's early work in a beautiful baroque church. Be sure to put your donation of .20 euros (cents) in the donation box before entering or taking pictures. We saw many people get called out and chastised for not donating first.

Amazing, nice , peaceful, beautiful...alll at the same time. Nice paintings, rich architecture. Can spend hours here

Churches say a lot about the city attached. This one is a little simple, but still quite beautiful. They seem to have a new "no photos" rule, or maybe they don't have it all the time, I don't know, but we weren't able to get many shots. Otherwise, we loved the place.

As with most of the city, the churches are incredible to see. Make sure to take the time to stop by here and see the art, sculptures and history of the building. You will be truly amazed of the entire place.

Really amazing statues that capture the sense of the renaissance. Worth spending time just being with them.

The sculptures are hidden in a small recess on the ought side. You cannot see them on entering the church so you must go up o the Altar and turn right. Extremely expressive, unusual sculptures.

Honestly we didn't pay much attention to the church itself, what we went in for was the terracotta statues by Niccolo dell'arca, and it was amazing. The expression and the movement that the artist has created is truly amazing, you feel the emotions of the characters as if they were real. Don't hesitate to walk in and look for the terracotta statues at the back of the church, you won't regret it !