We researched the little train that goes up to the church at St. Luca. The train ride was fun and we were able to follow the longest continuous portico in the world. At nearly 4 km this was built for a yearly festival where they bring a relic down from the church to the city. With the portico acting as a covering the relic would not get damaged by the weather. The train took 45 minutes to climb up the hill and when we got up to the top we could feel a definite change in the weather. We went from warm and sunny to chilly and windy. When we got into the church we were happy to see that there was a mass going on. There was singing and the choir sounded great in under the dome. After communion many folks took an up close tour of the altar area. We joined in and really go to see the splendor up close.
On our way we passed the old medical theater and took a few videos
These girls were on a tour and did not know that they were in a street but the train chased them off to the side
Under one of the best preserved gates of the old walls
When there are so many sculptures about, they have to go somewhere
Passing the porticos
An even nicer gate through the walls
Climbing uphill
Some folks take the stairs and there is a yearly run /bike up and back
We can see it in the distance
Great views
A fantastic location
Roses
More flowers
Still some stairs to get inside
The Bologna hills
Steep and curved!
The foundation was laid in 1194 CE
The sanctuary was pretty small based on the local churches in town
But they had a great dome
The colors are fantastic
After the sermon a pause for a prayer and the collection
Setting up for communion
Holy cow!
In a side room
Half domes surrounding the main dome
Another cow in the iconography
Lots of pomp
A blast of impressive artworks
Getting the stare down
A gate to where the fancy things are found
We are in line to see the back of the altar
Getting as closer look already
More domes making for fine acoustics
A starry ceiling
A slew of orchids reminded me of the flowers at the Buddhist temples
Perhaps a relic?
The starburst above
And we are headed back out
No entry here
A marble piece
With a Mary
Back outside
A look at the porticoes the start
These roses were divine
Milticolored
The foothills in the distance
Back on the train
Back in town
Retracing out steps
An old brick arch emerging from the sidewalk
Have cello will travel
So ,many tasty bits
Large scale art work
An odd neon sign
Great color scheme
Cutting through an arcade we see some sculpture
Another little church tucked away in a corner of the old town
