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Portico of San Luca

The world's longest covered walkway, 666 arches climbing to the Sanctuary of San Luca.

  • Bologna
  • Monument
Plan your visit
Where
Bologna
Best for
Longest portico in the world
Allow
1 hr 30 min
Tickets
Free

Nothing else in the world matches this covered walkway for sheer length: 3,796 meters and 666 arches climbing from the city gate at Porta Saragozza to the hilltop Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca, built between 1674 and 1739 specifically to shelter an annual procession carrying a Byzantine icon of the Madonna down into Bologna each spring.

Bolognesi walk it today for fitness, for penance, or simply for the view that opens up gradually as the arches climb the Colle della Guardia, and UNESCO recognized the whole system of Bologna's porticoes, this one included, as a World Heritage Site in 2021. Every May, the icon still makes the same descent it was built to protect.

Four things worth finding

If you see nothing else, see these.

  1. The Arco del Meloncello1732

    The monumental arch carries the portico over the street before the steep climb begins, a favorite spot for photos.Where the portico crosses Via Saragozza

  2. The 666 arches3,796 meters, 1674 to 1739

    The arches are numbered and climb the hill in an unbroken covered line, the longest portico in the world.From Porta Saragozza to the Colle della Guardia

  3. The Sanctuary of the Madonna di San LucaHilltop sanctuary

    At the top you can see the Byzantine icon of the Virgin and Child that the portico was built to shelter.Top of the Colle della Guardia

  4. The view over BolognaPanorama from the hill

    As you climb, the city opens below you, and on clear days the view is long.Along the upper portico and the sanctuary terrace

Plan your visit

Everything you need before you go.

Tickets
Free
Booking
No booking needed
Time needed
1 hr 30 min
Best time
Spring mornings, when temperatures are mild enough for the uphill walk and the views stay clear
Getting there
The portico begins at Porta Saragozza, a short walk from Bologna's city center; a shuttle bus also runs partway up for those who don't want to walk the full climb.
Accessibility
The path is a continuous, gentle uphill grade rather than stairs, which makes it manageable for many visitors, though the full 3.8 km length is demanding; a shuttle bus offers a partial alternative.

Walk up in the morning and take the shuttle bus back down: the climb is the point of the experience, but there's no shame in skipping the descent, especially in summer heat.

Official website
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Good to know

How long should you spend at the Portico of San Luca?

Allow about 90 minutes to walk up, see the sanctuary and come back down, and more if you take a slow pace or stop often. The uphill part after the Meloncello arch is steep.

Is the Portico of San Luca worth visiting?

Yes. It is the longest portico in the world and part of Bologna's UNESCO-listed porticoes, and the walk gives you a quiet climb and a good view. The arches make it workable even in rain.

Do you need to book the Portico of San Luca?

No, the portico is a public walkway and the sanctuary is a church open to visitors. Come in comfortable shoes, and choose a cooler hour in summer.

More to see nearby

Same city first, then the nearest across the region.

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