Santuario Madonna di San Luca

This was the most impressive church I ever visited. The walk up the hill was amazing. I loved every bit of it. The view was stunning. The church itself was glorious! Inside and outside! You have to go when you visit Bologna.

It's a beautiful church with amazing architecture. The way to reach this church is uphill, but there is a mini bus to take visitors here. Hiking down after a visit here is recommended. It gives many magnificent nature views.

Amazing must-do experience while in Bologna. Mostly for the scenery and a good workout, so wear comfortable shoes if you decide to go by foot, otherwise you can take bus 58 (leaves every half hour, with a break between 14:00 till 17:00)

Beautiful church with an excellent view of the countryside near Bologna. Driving up to the church is possibly outside of the 14:00-18:00 time window. There's a free parking lot a bit down the road but it seemed we were the only one who parked there. Everyone else parked closer to the church.

Interesting and beautiful Sanctuary of Our Lady of San Luca!!
The way to the Sanctuary can be done walking through the Porticoes of Bologna up to the hill of the Holy Sanctuary. That journey is covered by a tourist train, which offers audio guides in different languages. So the journey is very comfortable and provides interesting historical explanations about this path, and attractive sites along the way.
On the top will be possible to enjoy the art of this holy location and the great views from Bologna and the countryside around the Sanctuary.

We arrived here before sunset and the church was magnificent during the golden hour. Unfortunately, the dome was already closed at this time and a service was going on inside. We enjoyed the appearance and surroundings anyway. You can watch sunset over the Bologna from this hill.

We walked here from the Porta Zaragozza through the Arco del Meloncello and the Portico of San Luca, all along the porticoes.

Main part of the experience was the 1 hour+ walk from city centre for me! It’s an exercise within itself but you feel great when you get to the top and can have a relax, stroll around the area of the church and enjoy different views of the surrounding area. Could be a lovely postcard during sunset! There’s also an area with benches where you can have a picnic etc.

Incredible walk through the porticos, lots of opportunities to take pictures along the way. The sanctuary itself is beautiful and offers great views of the city. Comfortable shoes recommended!

You can pay to go outside the dome for a view, which is decent

Baroque, 1723.

The church holds an icon of the Virgin painted by St Luke the Evangelist.

Without a doubt, one of the more spectacular experiences that you can have in Bologna. The Sanctuary is situated on a hill top that overlooks the city and its surroundings. You can see much more than just the city once you've reached the top.

The walk to the Sanctuary takes you through the world's longest portico (~4km), which is a great standalone experience. You can also drive up or take a tourist train (which comes with an audio guide as well) for a few Euros.

There's plenty to see inside and around the Sanctuary, and for a small donation, you can actually climb the cupola, putting you on the highest peak around Bologna with a spectacular view in all directions. Once at the top, there will be someone that will explain what you're seeing.

Incredible sanctuary!
Took the D and 58 buses to get there (about an hour ride from the center of Bologna).
Beautiful from the inside, great views outside.
Enjoyed so much, definitely recommend!

Interesting structure. Hike to the top to get a good workout as well as impressive views of Bologna.

The Sanctuary of San Luca in Bologna is a magnificent testament to faith and architectural brilliance. Perched atop a hill overlooking the city, the sanctuary offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. The journey to the sanctuary along the iconic Portico di San Luca, with its 3.8-kilometer covered walkway, is an experience in itself, offering a sense of pilgrimage and tranquility. Inside the sanctuary, visitors are greeted by stunning frescoes, intricate sculptures, and a palpable sense of serenity. Whether you're seeking spiritual solace, admiring architectural marvels, or simply enjoying the scenic beauty, a visit to the Sanctuary of San Luca is an unforgettable experience that captures the essence of Bologna's rich history and religious heritage. Truly a gem worth exploring.

Landmark of Bologna.The enthusiasm and determination of local people is impressive, they built 5 km long gallery to this holy place. I recommend the sky experience, the view is amazing.

Dress in comfortable shoes and trousers! We wore trousers to be respectful of the church but we saw a few visitors in shorts.

When you arrive at the church, you’re gonna mistake it for being closed. There’s a small poster with opening hours. When you push the door, you’re gonna think it’s locked. The actual doors to enter are on the left and right side. Go in through the side doors!

Please don’t miss this church, or the walk up would have been for naught!

Your heart calms down once you step in! It indeed is a sanctuary!

Follow the path on the right and you can walk right in to the altar and have a close up look at the baroque adornment in this sanctuary! 🤯😍

A brilliant place to see and admire. The long uphill walk through the portico is definitely worth the effort!

Long walk but outstanding view and a real achievement. I’m glad we did the climb.

Worth the hike up and down. Nice path, but once leaving the city center pretty much up hill, lots of stairs. This 60 old, not the best of shape, (somewhat active) made it. I glad I decided to walk instead of using bus or other. A definite if you are in Bologna for a bit.

As a student studying abroad in Bologna Italy this summer, this is my number 1 must see if your visiting this city. The walk to the top is well worth the journey and is a relatively flat incline with some stairs along the way closer to the top, friendly for all ages. Inside the church at the top is breathtaking and has beautiful views that look over the entire city. I’ve walked and biked to the top multiple times since being here and it managed to take my breath away every time!

Anyone who has ever been here knows why you can lose your heart in Bologna. The panoramic view is fantastic and the climb up the countless steps is definitely worth it. The church is also a feast for the eyes and invites you to enjoy the ecclesiastical art.