San Luca Church stands out against the pastel-coloured buildings in Praiano because of its distinctive domed roof. The gold, green and blue majolica-tiled cupola sparkles in the Mediterranean sun. Visit the church for its ancient religious artworks and relics dedicated to the town’s patron saint. Much of what you see today is from a refurbishment of the church in 1588, although the original structure dates back as far as the 12th century.There was another refurbishment in the late 1700s.
Stand back from the church to admire the three-storey bell tower that stands beside it. It’s not possible to climb the tower, but the sight of the dome and tower against a backdrop of the sea is worth a photograph.
Go inside the main church to see the 18th-century tiled floor, which shows St. Luke surrounded by birds and animals. In the majolica-tiled mosaic, the saint, one of the authors of the gospels in the New Testament, is seen painting a picture. Now look up to take in the three naves and six altars of the main chapel.
Around you are paintings by artists such as Padovano di Montorio and Bernardo Lama that date back to the 16th and 17th centuries. See di Montorio’s famous depiction of Our Lady of the Rosary and Lama’s interpretation of the circumcision. Other artworks include marble sculptures.
Look for the silver statue of St. Luke and the vessel containing his relics. Twice a year the 17th-century statue is paraded around town as part of religious celebrations. See also a full-length wooden carving of the patron saint.
San Luca Church is in the centre of Praiano, which you can reach by bus or ferry from most towns along the coast, including Positano and Amalfi. The church is open every day, but only in the afternoons from after lunch until early evening. It’s free to enter.
