• SAN LUIGI

• Via Donizetti 3, 40069 Loc. Riale di Zola Predosa

• CALL

• This is one of many churches that Cardinal Lercaro ordered built in the suburbs of Bologna in the wake of the Second World War. Though it stands on land beonging to the Municipality of Casalecchio di Reno, it belongs to the parish of Riale. The definitive project by architect Glauco Gresleri was completed in 1975. It constitutes one of the most interesting examples of contemporary Bolognese religious architecture. Having little space available, the Riale church, including all the traditional church elements such a bell tower and a churchyard, was developed vertically instead of horizontally, starting underground, many stories below street level. With its cloverleaf design, it relies on light as a major element of its architectural plan, filtered through stained-glass skylights. The altar and presbytery are paved with red peperino stone and the seat is made of elmwood. It features a spectacular tabernacle by Tirelli. The Stations of the Cross by Claudio Pacetti was cast in bronze by Leonino Medici di Riale. The windows by Father Costantino Ruggeri develop the themes of the sun and of blood.