Procession and Celebrations of the Madonna of San Luca
The descent into the city of the image of the Blessed Virgin, patron saint of Bologna
About Madonna of San Luca
The descent of the Madonna, Bologna's spiritual heart
Among the oldest and most deeply rooted religious traditions in Italy, the descent of the Madonna of San Luca is the event that every year, in spring, brings the entire city of Bologna together. The image of the Blessed Virgin, kept in the Sanctuary on the Colle della Guardia, is carried in procession to the Cathedral of San Pietro, where it remains for a week exposed to the veneration of the faithful before returning to its sanctuary.
A tradition born in 1433
The festival has its roots in an event in 1433: in that year, incessant rains threatened the harvests and the survival of the territory. The people of Bologna decided to bring the image of the Madonna venerated on the hill into the city. Upon its arrival, tradition tells, the rains ceased and the sun returned. Since then, every year, the image repeats that journey from the Colle della Guardia to the historic center, sealing an uninterrupted bond between the city and its patron saint.
The longest Portico in the world
The Madonna's route is inextricably linked to the Portico of San Luca, the longest porticoed walkway in the world with its nearly four kilometers and 666 arches that rise from the Arco del Meloncello to the sanctuary. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site along with Bologna's other porticoes, it is the sacred path that the faithful and pilgrims travel to reach the Virgin. During the ascent, the procession stops precisely at the Arco del Meloncello and Porta Saragozza, symbolic thresholds between the city and the hill.
A week of celebrations in the historic center
Throughout its stay in the Cathedral, the program alternates solemn masses, rosary recitations, Litanies of Loreto, Eucharistic adoration, and moments dedicated to the sick and the diocesan clergy. The most anticipated moment, besides the descent and ascent, is the blessing of the city imparted by the archbishop from the parvis of the Basilica of San Petronio, in Piazza Maggiore, Bologna's civil and religious heart. The main celebrations are presided over by the Cardinal Archbishop, accompanied by the diocesan presbytery.
A people's festival
Although it is a religious solemnity, the descent of the Madonna of San Luca is experienced by all Bolognese as the city's identity festival, the capital of Emilia-Romagna and ancient university seat. The streets of the center — via Saragozza, via D'Azeglio, Piazza Maggiore, via Indipendenza — fill with faithful, curious onlookers, and tourists who witness the passage of the ancient icon, in an atmosphere suspended between devotion, history, and the city's identity in the Metropolitan City of Bologna.
Madonna of San Luca — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the celebrations for the Madonna of San Luca took place from May 9 to 17 in the historic center of Bologna, following the tradition that every year brings the image of the Blessed Virgin from the Colle della Guardia to the Cathedral of San Pietro.
The descent on Saturday, May 9, and the solemn blessing of the city from the Basilica of San Petronio were the most attended moments, presided over by Cardinal Archbishop Matteo Zuppi. The week alternated Eucharistic celebrations, prayer moments, and services dedicated to the sick and the diocesan clergy, culminating in the ascent on Sunday, May 17, back to the sanctuary on the hill.
Programme Madonna of San Luca 2026
Saturday, May 9 — Descent into the city
- 6:00 PM — Welcome of the image at Porta Saragozza by Archbishop Cardinal Matteo Zuppi; procession along via Saragozza, Collegio di Spagna, via Carbonesi, via D'Azeglio, Piazza Maggiore, Piazza del Nettuno, and via Indipendenza
- 7:00 PM — Arrival at the Cathedral of San Pietro, blessing with the image, and Holy Mass
- 9:00 PM — Recitation of the Rosary, Litanies of Loreto, exposition, adoration, and Eucharistic blessing
Sunday, May 10
- 10:30 AM — Holy Mass
- 3:00 PM — Service for the sick (Lourdes style)
- 9:00 PM — Evening Rosary
Monday, May 11 to Friday, May 15
- Daily celebrations, evening rosaries (9:00 PM), and adoration moments
- Wednesday, May 13 — 5:15 PM: procession to the Basilica of San Petronio; 6:00 PM: blessing of the city imparted by the archbishop from the parvis in Piazza Maggiore
- Thursday, May 14 — Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin of San Luca: 9:30 AM retreat of the diocesan clergy in the crypt; 11:15 AM Holy Mass presided over by the Cardinal Archbishop with the presbytery
Sunday, May 17 — Ascent to the sanctuary
- 12:00 PM — Concluding litanies and blessing with the image
- 5:00 PM — Ascent procession towards the Sanctuary of San Luca, with stops for blessings at Piazza Malpighi, Porta Saragozza, and the Arco del Meloncello
- 8:00 PM — Concluding Holy Mass at the sanctuary on the Colle della Guardia
The Cathedral of San Pietro remained open daily from 6:30 AM to 10:30 PM. The main celebrations were broadcast live streaming on www.chiesadibologna.it and on the YouTube channel 12Porte.
Highlights Madonna of San Luca 2026
Prices Madonna of San Luca 2026
Practical information — Madonna of San Luca
Where
The celebrations take place between the Sanctuary of San Luca (Colle della Guardia), the Cathedral of San Pietro (via Indipendenza, historic center), and the Basilica of San Petronio in Piazza Maggiore, Bologna.
How to get there
Bologna Centrale is one of Italy's main railway hubs: from the station, the historic center is reachable on foot in about 15 minutes or by city buses. The Sanctuary of San Luca can be reached on foot along the famous Portico (about 4 km uphill) or by the tourist train San Luca Express from the center.
Access and hours
During the week of its stay, the Cathedral of San Pietro is open daily from approximately 6:30 AM to 10:30 PM. Participation in masses, processions, and blessings is free and open to all. The main celebrations are broadcast live streaming on the channels of the Church of Bologna and on YouTube.
Tips
For the descent and ascent, it is advisable to position yourself along the route in advance: Porta Saragozza, via D'Azeglio, and Piazza Maggiore are the most crowded spots.
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Where does it take place — Madonna of San Luca
Cattedrale di San Pietro / Santuario di San Luca
Piazza Galileo Galilei 5, 40135 Bologna