Who are the patron saints of Bologna?

San Petronio, a fifth-century bishop of Bologna. His feast day, 4 October, is the city’s holiday, and the Basilica di San Petronio on the south side of Piazza Maggiore is dedicated to him. His relics were moved there in 2000.

He is the first of four traditional protectors. The others are San Procolo, San Domenico, the founder of the Dominicans, who died and is buried in Bologna, and San Francesco, Francis of Assisi. Alfonso Lombardi’s terracotta statues of all four were set into the Voltone del Podestà in 1525 and still look down on anyone walking under Palazzo del Podestà. Paintings of the group often add San Floriano.

The city’s deepest devotion, though, goes to the Madonna di San Luca. Since 1433 her icon has been carried down each spring from the hilltop sanctuary to the city for about a week, starting on the Saturday before the fifth Sunday after Easter. It stays in the cathedral of San Pietro, and during that week it is taken to San Petronio, where a blessing is given over the city from the basilica’s steps, a custom dating from 1588. Dates move with Easter, so check the archdiocese’s program for the year.