Funivia di San Luca, Aerial tramway in Bologna, Italy.
The Funivia di San Luca is an aerial tramway connecting Bologna's center to the sanctuary perched on a hilltop overlooking the city. The cable system carries passengers on a direct route across the slopes above the urban landscape.
The tramway began operations in 1931, replacing an earlier funicular railway from the late 1800s that had served the same route. It operated for several decades as a key link between the city and the hilltop sanctuary before closing.
The Sanctuary of Madonna di San Luca has drawn pilgrims from the city for centuries as a place of spiritual importance. Visitors today notice how the location remains central to local religious observance and devotion.
The lower terminus sits near downtown Bologna, making it easy to reach from the main city areas without long walks. The upper end delivers passengers directly to the sanctuary entrance at the hilltop.
The cable route once carried passengers on a journey above Bologna's rooftops, offering views of the city's architecture from an angle few visitors could access. This elevated perspective revealed how the urban landscape stretched and changed direction as it rose toward the hills.
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