The Santuario di San Luca is a basilica on a hilltop above Bologna, in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy. It is also known as the Sanctuary of the Madonna of San Luca. Its address is Via di San Luca 36, 40135 Bologna.
The walk up to the hill
What makes the sanctuary memorable is the way it connects to the city. A covered portico climbs from Bologna to the basilica, and it is said to be the longest in the world, stretching 3.8 km with 666 arches. Walking it, you move steadily upward through the city's streets and gardens, with the rooftops and towers of Bologna opening out below you as you climb.
What you find at the top
The basilica houses a revered Byzantine icon of the Virgin Mary, the focus of devotion here for many visitors. Whether or not you share that faith, the church is a place to pause and look at its interior and the view from the hill.
Planning your visit
- Allow time for the climb, whether you walk the whole portico or part of it.
- Combine the visit with an afternoon in Bologna's historic centre, which lies at the foot of the hill.
- To check details before you go, you can call the sanctuary on +39 051 6142339.
For visitors who enjoy walking, views, and a sense of how a city reaches out into its surrounding hills, the Santuario di San Luca makes a rewarding trip from Bologna.
