San Luca: the Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin

A journey to discover the sanctuary of San Luca, a place of worship for centuries a pilgrimage destination and symbol of the city of Bologna.

The sanctuary of San Luca stands on the hill of the guard, south-west of Bologna and it is a sanctuary Catholic Marian. It is mostly in Baroque style and in the center rises a large dome, in which there is an observatory at a height of about 42 meters. Inside there are some works by Donato Creti, Guido Reni and Guercino as well as the most important icon which is the Madonna and child. The sanctuary was the subject of disputes for many years, especially between Angelica Bonfantini and the canons of Santa Maria in reno. Disputes that concerned above all the offers and donations of the faithful and which even attracted the attention of Pope Celestine III and then of Innocent III.

In July 1433 the "miracle of rain". The rains that threatened the harvests ceased when the procession that carried it arrived in the city Madonna. From that moment, given the numerous offerings of the faithful, the renovation and expansion works began.

The portico of San Luca, a masterpiece shrouded in mysteries and legend

With its 666 arches and 15 chapels, it is the longest portico in the world with its 3.796 meters. The 15 chapels with mysteries of the rosary they are placed at a distance of 20 meters from each other. To divide the flat section from the hilly one there is an arch called meloncello. Legends and ancient traditions speak of the number of arches. In fact, it is not accidental, on the contrary that number means precisely the diabolical number, the number of the devil.

Given the zig-zag shape, the portico symbolizes the snake that is compared to diavolo crushed under the feet of the Madonna. Every year between May and June with a procession the Madonna di San Luca goes down to the city for the blessing.