Santuario della Madonna di San Luca
A sacred place and a destination for weekend walks, the Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin of San Luca is one of Bologna's best-known symbols. One must climb up the Colle della Guardia to reach it, the highest hill in the city, which thus acts as a 'guardian' (hence the name) over Bologna and was, not surprisingly, used for defensive purposes in the past. The walk that connects it to the city centre via the famous portico that starts at Porta Saragozza can be quite strenuous, however, because it has a good uphill stretch. Alternatively, you can reach the sanctuary directly by car. Until a few decades ago, it was even possible to ascend the hill by cable car which was later abandoned in 1976.
This dominating position over the city is also particularly appreciated by the Bolognese who, returning home after a trip outside Bologna, immediately know when they see the basilica of San Luca that their destination is near. San Luca can in fact be seen from many different access points to the city.
The cult of the Madonna of San Luca is very much felt in Bologna, so much so that the ancient tradition of the procession of the Virgin still takes place every year in May. During this great event, which involves the entire city, the icon of Our Lady of St Luke is carried from the basilica to the city centre, where it is first welcomed by the bishop at Porta Saragozza and then reaches St Peter's Cathedral. It remains here for a week before returning to its basilica.
The Basilica of San Luca
The construction of the Basilica di San Luca in Bologna began in the
12th century on the initiative of a Bolognese noblewoman, who sought and obtained consent from the Pope Celestine III to found a shrine on this hill.
Over the course of time, however, the structure was modified several times, so that what we see today does not correspond to the first design of the basilica, but to the 18th-century work of
architect Carlo Francesco Dotti, the same architect who also completed the construction of the portico.
Inside we find a series of wonderful works of art, including
altarpieces by Guido Reni and Guercino, as well as the famous icon of the Virgin and Child behind the altar. Those who wish to admire the city from above can also climb up to the dome, which can be reached via a narrow internal path.
The image of the Virgin
The
history of the icon of the Virgin of St. Luke has always been shrouded in
legend. It is said that the portrait of Mary holding the baby Jesus in her arms was made by St Luke himself. It was later brought to Bologna by a devout pilgrim after dreaming of the exact spot where the future basilica was to be built. His journey was not without adventures, but he eventually reached Colle della Guardia and realised that this was the very place chosen to house the precious icon that had appeared to him in a dream.
Beyond the legend, history tells us that the image of the Virgin actually arrived in Bologna between the 13th and 14th centuries.
The longest portico in the world
The
portico of San Luca is 3,796 metres long, almost 4 kilometres of covered passage, making it the longest portico in the world. Its
666 arches connect the sanctuary of San Luca to the centre of Bologna, and still allow worshippers and sportsmen/sportswomen to climb up to the basilica completely under cover.
Finally, it seems that the number of the arches is not accidental. This number has always been associated with Satan. The same course of the portico seen from afar recalls that of a
serpent, another symbol of evil and sin. It is therefore believed that the Virgin inside the sanctuary, placed at the end of the portico, symbolises goodness crushing evil underneath her, i.e. the serpent.
