Like most, if not all, Italian cities, Bologna is graced with a cathedral, the interior of which has been decorated with fresco paintings. In this case they are the work of the 15th century artist known as Giovanni da Modena (Giovanni di Pietro Falloppi), whose major surviving work this is. The frescoes were commissioned by Bartolomeo Bolognini, who also gave his name to the Chapel in his will of 1408. In it he stipulated that there should be a Paradise, an Inferno ("as horrible as possible") and a Journey of the Magi.

For almost six centuries these frescoes have inspired awe and wonder in visitors to the Chapel in S Petronia, Bologna. Recently, however, they have become the focus of resentment among a small group of people who are calling for one of the frescoes to be destroyed. Among the Inferno images, in the 9th circle of Hell to be exact, is a depiction of the Prophet Mohammed as Dante described him, condemned to burn in eternal flames. Now, the recently established Union of Italian Muslims has written to the Pope and Cardinal Giacomo Biffi, the Archbishop of Bologna, to ask that the fresco be removed or destroyed.