Sight guide · Verona · Italy
Visiting Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore
One of the finest Romanesque churches in northern Italy, San Zeno has a rose window known as the Wheel of Fortune, a porch flanked by marble reliefs and bronze doors with 48 panels of biblical scenes.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore is a religious site in San Zeno, Verona. Allow 45 minutes; it is low cost. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Religious site
- Area
- San Zeno
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- history, art, architecture and rainy day
- Best months
- April–June
About Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore
One of the finest Romanesque churches in northern Italy, San Zeno has a rose window known as the Wheel of Fortune, a porch flanked by marble reliefs and bronze doors with 48 panels of biblical scenes. Inside, Andrea Mantegna's San Zeno Altarpiece stands on the raised high altar above the crypt that holds the saint's remains, and a peaceful cloister opens off the nave.
Tip: A combined ticket covers San Zeno, Sant'Anastasia, the Duomo and San Fermo if you plan to visit several churches.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 45 minutes.
- Cost: Low cost.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: San Zeno, residential quarter around the Romanesque basilica west of Castelvecchio.
Best time to visit Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore
Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore is indoors, which makes it a good plan for the wettest months:
- April: 18°C (64°F) highs, about 9 rainy days, busy crowds.
- May: 23°C (73°F) highs, about 9 rainy days, busy crowds.
- June: 27°C (81°F) highs, about 8 rainy days, busy crowds.
When to visit Verona has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore is not on our short itineraries, so plan it as an extra once you have seen Arena di Verona and Opera at the Arena.
- No. 11 of the 17 sights in our Verona things-to-do list.
- One of the picks in verona on a rainy day.
- One of the picks in historic sites in Verona.
If you like Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore
- Arena di Verona — Piazza Bra and the Arena, 1 hour
- Piazza dei Signori and the Scaliger Tombs — Città Antica (Piazza delle Erbe), 45 minutes
- Castelvecchio and Ponte Scaligero — Castelvecchio, 1.5–2 hours
- Roman Theatre and Archaeological Museum — Veronetta, 1–1.5 hours
Staying near Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore
Stay in San Zeno ($$) to walk here: residential quarter around the Romanesque basilica west of Castelvecchio. All areas to stay in Verona.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore?
Plan 45 minutes.
+Is Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore free?
No, it is low cost. Tickets are usually available on the day.
+When is the best time to visit Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore?
April–June, the wettest months, when an indoor sight is most welcome. A combined ticket covers San Zeno, Sant'Anastasia, the Duomo and San Fermo if you plan to visit several churches.
+Do I need to book Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.