Since its construction, it has always been one of the most beautiful manifestations of Romanesque art and has never lost its beauty even with the numerous renovations that have taken place over time.
The most important was that of the XII century made specifically to house the tomb of the patron saint of the city, or San Zeno. Externally the basilica is peaceful in its antique gold color, with an elegant tuff facade and marble reliefs depicting biblical scenes.
In the center, however, the rose window stands out, also called the Wheel of Fortune as the figures along the edge indicate the alternation of human fortunes, while below it is impossible not to notice a graceful canopy porch that rests on two slender columns.
The real masterpiece is the bronze portal, with its 48 square panels, each of which expresses its own meaning, starting from the Old Testament, up to the miracles of San Zeno, maintaining a very high quality of bronze works. Simple and majestic, its interior with three naves is a harmonious coexistence of Romanesque and Gothic forms, worthy of note is the 12th century baptismal font from the Roman baths.
As per tradition, the Romanesque churches were divided into three different levels, going down a few steps you get to the crypt, a Romanesque masterpiece, and which symbolizes humility, in the central part we find the plebana church, that is, which belongs to the circumscription of a parish church, and finally go up a few steps to the Presbytery, where we can admire the high altar and the famous altarpiece, which symbolizes the detachment of the spirit from the things of the world.
From the left aisle you exit into the beautiful cloister, also a Romanesque masterpiece, it is composed of numerous arches supported by small paired columns and preserves ancient tombs, precious medieval frescoes and a newsstand that contained the washhouse of the friars.
