San Luca

This morning we caught the little tourist road train up to the Basilica of San Luca which sits on a hill overlooking the town in one direction and the stunning countryside of Emilia-Romagna (see extras) which we got magnificent views of by climbing the steps up to the roof of the dome.

The church houses an important icon which is carried in procession down to the city once a year, over 2 miles down through the longest continuous portico in the world with 666 arched, starting at the cathedral entrance. (In extras is the rather unnerving Madonna and Child who seem to be peeping at you from their screen behind the altar.

We walked back down the length of the portico and we’re glad not to be encumbered by an icon! We passed lots of people on their way up who looked to be regretting their decision to walk both ways, though there were some who were embracing the challenge of running up and down.