We're heading to Bologna in early May and want to get an early start to see the Sanctuary of the Madonna of San Lucca. The website says it opens at 6:30a with a service at 7:30a. Can someone who has been there early tell me if we can see the church, iconic painting, and terrace if we arrive at 8:30a? I think the terrace requires a ticket but there's no indication as to the time the tickets are sold, or if the terrace is even accessible that early. Also, is it necessary to buy tickets online for early May?
Posted by
58 posts
We took a hop on and off up to the church mid day. We were able to walk around outside and inside the church freely. It is beautiful, the church, painting and surroundings. We didn't need a ticket for the church ( this was 4 years ago) and it was early morning.
Posted by
Southeast of Seattle
732 posts
I don’t know about the service or how that might impact a visit. I do know we purchased tickets on site to visit the terrace-has a name like sky view or something. There is a ticket kiosk right outside the main entry doors, but I don’t know how early they start selling tickets. Unless something has changed in the last year, I wouldn’t be too concerned about an on line purchase for the terrace.
Posted by
Vignola, Modena, Italy
556 posts
The climb and visit to the dome can be done every day after 10am or on Sunday after 12am.
Here some more details: https://www.succedesoloabologna.it/san-luca-sky-experience-en/
Usually a weekly Mass is not long as a Sunday one: in a little more than half an hour is usually completed. So after 8am probably you can enter without problems.
In general in better don't do a visit during a Mass in any church.