The city of Bologna is one of the most famous in Italy and in addition to the renowned cuisine and hospitality offers its visitors masterpieces such as the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca.
This is a symbolic place for the people of Bologna and is also ideal for those who want to take a walk in the hills starting from the historic center. Let’s see how the Bolognese sanctuary was born and where it is located, its history and what else to see while visiting the sanctuary that dominates Bologna from the Guardia hill.
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The sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca: what is it and where is it located?
The Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca is located at a height of 281 meters above sea level on top of the Guardia hill, in the area south-west of the historic center of Bologna. It is a religious building dedicated to Catholic Marian worship and has been since its origin a pilgrimage destination to venerate the icon of the Virgin and Child called precisely the Madonna di San Luca.
It is a baroque building of orange color with a dome with lantern particularly impressive. You can walk from Porta Zaragoza. From here there is a fascinating and photogenic via porticata composed of 66 arches and 489 steps that lead to the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca.To get to the top of the hill you can also use the car. Near the sanctuary there are parking spaces for pilgrims. Once at the top you can admire a magnificent view of the city, the Emilian plain and the peaks of the northern Apennines.
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The history of the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca
The construction of the Basilica began in 1194 after the transfer of the land on top of the hill of the Guard by Angelica Bonfantini to the church. According to tradition, the image of the Madonna and Child, typically Byzantine, painted on a simple wooden board arrived in Bologna thanks to the Greek hermit Theokoles. Starting from Constantinople following an illumination, in search of the place where the painting was destined to be exhibited he came to Bologna where he found the then church of San Luca, dedicated to the presumed author of the same painting, none other than the evangelist Luca.
Among the events that have increased its popularity is the well-known miracle of rain. According to what was narrated in 1433 the abundant rains had irreparably damaged the harvest. For this reason the authorities of Bologna decided to transport the image of the Madonna to the city center to ask for grace. Miraculously, the rain stopped when the painting arrived at Porta Zaragoza.
Since then every year in May the image is brought from the Sanctuary to Saint Peter’s Basilica. The Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca has been modified over time to reach its present appearance in 1723 with the work of the architect Francesco Dotti.
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Sanctuary of Madonna di San Luca: what to see?
The sanctuary today looks like an imposing building characterized by curved lines and warm colors. Once inside the visitor’s gaze is captured by the presence of the imposing high altar that is placed in a raised position. Here is the famous table that you can admire up close to be able to grasp all the details. Other masterpieces await you in the side chapels where there are paintings by important painters such as Guido Reni, Guercino and Donato Creti.
You can make guided tours that allow you to discover all the treasures that are kept here. It is also worth admiring the magnificent staircase that leads to the historic center and the wonderful view that can be enjoyed from the top of the hill of the Guard. Without doubt if you are visiting the city of Bologna this is a place not to be missed.
Copertina: itinari
