Portico Di San Luca

 Today we went on a pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of the Madonna Di San Luca. We were joined by an Australian ex-pat, the delightful Ame, friend of Kim and Steph, who added a new dimension to our group, regaling us with stories of life in Italy, as we walked through the 3.8 km long arched walkway,  up a 300 m high hill, Colle della Guardia.  The entire walk was through an amazing portico, or covered walkway, consisting of 666 arches. This incredible structure is the longest portico in the world, and was built between 1674 and 1793 to protect the sacred icon of the Virgin of San Luca on its annual pilgrimage between the Sanctuary of the Madonna on top of the hill to the Cathedral of San Pietro in Bologna.  

The first 1.5 kilometres beginning at the Porta Saragozza, once part of the 13th century wall that surrounded Bologna, was a gentle walk past shops, apartments and parklands. The second part, after passing through another gate, was much more demanding, with a combination of steep uphill slopes and steps, but there were plenty of opportunities to stop and take photos of the views over the city and surrounding countryside while we caught our breath. 

At the top, the Basillica is open to visitors and the faithful,  and the surrounding views of the Apennines, still with some snow showing on the highest peaks, were spectacular. We had carried a picnic lunch up with us, and after meeting up with Fiona who had travelled up via the San Luca Express tourist train, we sat at some picnic tables under the trees, sipping on prosecco and feasting on bread, cheese and meats saved from our lunch yesterday.  

Fortified with wine and food, the trip back down the hill was much quicker than the trip up had been and we were back at the hotel by 2 pm for a quick refresher before heading out again to look for the markets, which by the time we found them, were closed for siesta. Abandoning this idea, we found a bar instead and enjoyed Aperitivo. 

After a couple of drinks at a couple of bars, we moved on to dinner at a quaint restaurant that had once been a library, and still had book laden shelves throughout the scattered rooms which housed the diners. The food was authentic and simple, but delicious. My cream of courgette soup with croutons was definitely something new and interesting. 

Again we walked and talked our way back to the hotel (with maybe one wrong turn), and a stop to chat to an Australian couple, who recognised our accents, eventually making it back to the Art Hotel Commercianti, for our final night in Bologna. My step count for the day read 22,888. I think I will sleep well tonight  















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