Santuario Madonna di San Luca

The Portico di San Luca Walk is a stunning and memorable pilgrimage from the heart of Bologna to the Basilica of San Luca, perched atop Colle della Guardia. This unique covered walkway, or portico, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the longest in the world, stretching for almost four kilometers. As you embark on this journey, be prepared for a challenging yet rewarding ascent. The walk begins near Porta Saragozza and is a gradual incline at first. However, it soon becomes a steep climb, making decent footwear an absolute necessity. The path is paved, but the continuous uphill gradient demands sturdy shoes to ensure comfort and stability. The entire portico consists of 666 arches, and while the number of steps isn't officially counted, the sheer length and vertical climb are substantial. This walk is particularly intense in the summer heat, so it's highly recommended to do it early in the morning before the sun is at its peak. Bringing plenty of water is crucial to stay hydrated. Additionally, a small towel for your neck is a wise choice, as you are guaranteed to sweat a lot. The effort is well worth it, as the portico offers not only shelter but also breathtaking views of the surrounding hills and city as you ascend. Reaching the magnificent Basilica of San Luca at the top provides a sense of accomplishment and a truly unforgettable panoramic vista.

It is truly a beautiful and peaceful place to visit. The sanctuary offers a serene atmosphere, perfect for contemplation and reflection. The architecture is stunning and contributes to a sense of awe. You can enjoy some great views from the sanctuary. Overall, it is an unforgettable experience for all who visit.

The road until there on foot is pretty exhausted but that won't really matter when you arrive there. The views over the city are breathtaking, the sanctuary is well preserved, the entry is free and the garden is very beautiful and well maintained. In case you need there is a place where you can top up your water bottle, you will need it until there . The road until there is underneath some columns and the entire road is safe from rain or sun. There is also a paid bus that can take you there, from a private company. Up there there is only one restaurant which is good.

Though I didn't get in as it was already late to get in nor ask for information. The route walking there is mostly for sportive people. The stairs, steep hill walking there made me regret going there but was the most rewarding experience ever seeing the church. A lot if money is needed to maintain it as already peeling off.

Lovely place to go for a hike and a walk. Very busy though at weekends and very hot so take water . It's very hilly and quite far to go up but coming down is easy lots of steps too . Water fountain at top

Well worth a visit. We decided to take a taxi up and it was a great idea. We then visited the church and then walked down along the porticoes to the centre of Bologna.

Really beautiful church. The view from top is nice. The church is built on the top of the hill and you can either take the bus or walk or trek to the top. Trek path is really beautiful. Its surrounded by the porticoes in case you want to walk through shade

Great experience and sanctuary BUT be careful you CAN go by car ! It's not well indicated because Bologna probably wants to limit tourism but you can definitely go by car even if the sign says something, however be careful while driving because Italy is a little bit weird when it comes to driving in town, you can't really drive