diff --git a/Doc/library/sqlite3.rst b/Doc/library/sqlite3.rst
index e7676a9..d7eaea6 100644
--- a/Doc/library/sqlite3.rst
+++ b/Doc/library/sqlite3.rst
@@ -532,6 +532,56 @@
                  f.write('%s\n' % line)
 
 
+   .. method:: backup(target, *, pages=0, progress=None, name="main", sleep=0.250)
+
+      This method makes a backup of a SQLite database even while it's being accessed
+      by other clients, or concurrently by the same connection.  The copy will be
+      written into the mandatory argument *target*, that must be another
+      :class:`Connection` instance.
+
+      By default, or when *pages* is either ``0`` or a negative integer, the entire
+      database is copied in a single step; otherwise the method performs a loop
+      copying up to *pages* pages at a time.
+
+      If *progress* is specified, it must either be ``None`` or a callable object that
+      will be executed at each iteration with three integer arguments, respectively
+      the *status* of the last iteration, the *remaining* number of pages still to be
+      copied and the *total* number of pages.
+
+      The *name* argument specifies the database name that will be copied: it must be
+      a string containing either ``"main"``, the default, to indicate the main
+      database, ``"temp"`` to indicate the temporary database or the name specified
+      after the ``AS`` keyword in an ``ATTACH DATABASE`` statement for an attached
+      database.
+
+      The *sleep* argument specifies the number of seconds to sleep by between
+      successive attempts to backup remaining pages, can be specified either as an
+      integer or a floating point value.
+
+      Example 1, copy an existing database into another::
+
+         import sqlite3
+
+         def progress(status, remaining, total):
+             print(f'Copied {total-remaining} of {total} pages...')
+
+         con = sqlite3.connect('existing_db.db')
+         with sqlite3.connect('backup.db') as bck:
+             con.backup(bck, pages=1, progress=progress)
+
+      Example 2, copy an existing database into a transient copy::
+
+         import sqlite3
+
+         source = sqlite3.connect('existing_db.db')
+         dest = sqlite3.connect(':memory:')
+         source.backup(dest)
+
+      Availability: SQLite 3.6.11 or higher
+
+      .. versionadded:: 3.7
+
+
 .. _sqlite3-cursor-objects:
 
 Cursor Objects
diff --git a/Doc/whatsnew/3.7.rst b/Doc/whatsnew/3.7.rst
index 76e1f7b..fc5f5ab 100644
--- a/Doc/whatsnew/3.7.rst
+++ b/Doc/whatsnew/3.7.rst
@@ -630,6 +630,15 @@
 ``'^$'`` or ``(?=-)`` that matches an empty string.
 (Contributed by Serhiy Storchaka in :issue:`25054`.)
 
+
+sqlite3
+-------
+
+:class:`sqlite3.Connection` now exposes a :class:`~sqlite3.Connection.backup`
+method, if the underlying SQLite library is at version 3.6.11 or higher.
+(Contributed by Lele Gaifax in :issue:`27645`.)
+
+
 ssl
 ---
 
diff --git a/Lib/sqlite3/test/backup.py b/Lib/sqlite3/test/backup.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..784702f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Lib/sqlite3/test/backup.py
@@ -0,0 +1,162 @@
+import sqlite3 as sqlite
+import unittest
+
+
+@unittest.skipIf(sqlite.sqlite_version_info < (3, 6, 11), "Backup API not supported")
+class BackupTests(unittest.TestCase):
+    def setUp(self):
+        cx = self.cx = sqlite.connect(":memory:")
+        cx.execute('CREATE TABLE foo (key INTEGER)')
+        cx.executemany('INSERT INTO foo (key) VALUES (?)', [(3,), (4,)])
+        cx.commit()
+
+    def tearDown(self):
+        self.cx.close()
+
+    def verify_backup(self, bckcx):
+        result = bckcx.execute("SELECT key FROM foo ORDER BY key").fetchall()
+        self.assertEqual(result[0][0], 3)
+        self.assertEqual(result[1][0], 4)
+
+    def test_bad_target_none(self):
+        with self.assertRaises(TypeError):
+            self.cx.backup(None)
+
+    def test_bad_target_filename(self):
+        with self.assertRaises(TypeError):
+            self.cx.backup('some_file_name.db')
+
+    def test_bad_target_same_connection(self):
+        with self.assertRaises(ValueError):
+            self.cx.backup(self.cx)
+
+    def test_bad_target_closed_connection(self):
+        bck = sqlite.connect(':memory:')
+        bck.close()
+        with self.assertRaises(sqlite.ProgrammingError):
+            self.cx.backup(bck)
+
+    def test_bad_target_in_transaction(self):
+        bck = sqlite.connect(':memory:')
+        bck.execute('CREATE TABLE bar (key INTEGER)')
+        bck.executemany('INSERT INTO bar (key) VALUES (?)', [(3,), (4,)])
+        with self.assertRaises(sqlite.OperationalError) as cm:
+            self.cx.backup(bck)
+        if sqlite.sqlite_version_info < (3, 8, 7):
+            self.assertEqual(str(cm.exception), 'target is in transaction')
+
+    def test_keyword_only_args(self):
+        with self.assertRaises(TypeError):
+            with sqlite.connect(':memory:') as bck:
+                self.cx.backup(bck, 1)
+
+    def test_simple(self):
+        with sqlite.connect(':memory:') as bck:
+            self.cx.backup(bck)
+            self.verify_backup(bck)
+
+    def test_progress(self):
+        journal = []
+
+        def progress(status, remaining, total):
+            journal.append(status)
+
+        with sqlite.connect(':memory:') as bck:
+            self.cx.backup(bck, pages=1, progress=progress)
+            self.verify_backup(bck)
+
+        self.assertEqual(len(journal), 2)
+        self.assertEqual(journal[0], sqlite.SQLITE_OK)
+        self.assertEqual(journal[1], sqlite.SQLITE_DONE)
+
+    def test_progress_all_pages_at_once_1(self):
+        journal = []
+
+        def progress(status, remaining, total):
+            journal.append(remaining)
+
+        with sqlite.connect(':memory:') as bck:
+            self.cx.backup(bck, progress=progress)
+            self.verify_backup(bck)
+
+        self.assertEqual(len(journal), 1)
+        self.assertEqual(journal[0], 0)
+
+    def test_progress_all_pages_at_once_2(self):
+        journal = []
+
+        def progress(status, remaining, total):
+            journal.append(remaining)
+
+        with sqlite.connect(':memory:') as bck:
+            self.cx.backup(bck, pages=-1, progress=progress)
+            self.verify_backup(bck)
+
+        self.assertEqual(len(journal), 1)
+        self.assertEqual(journal[0], 0)
+
+    def test_non_callable_progress(self):
+        with self.assertRaises(TypeError) as cm:
+            with sqlite.connect(':memory:') as bck:
+                self.cx.backup(bck, pages=1, progress='bar')
+        self.assertEqual(str(cm.exception), 'progress argument must be a callable')
+
+    def test_modifying_progress(self):
+        journal = []
+
+        def progress(status, remaining, total):
+            if not journal:
+                self.cx.execute('INSERT INTO foo (key) VALUES (?)', (remaining+1000,))
+                self.cx.commit()
+            journal.append(remaining)
+
+        with sqlite.connect(':memory:') as bck:
+            self.cx.backup(bck, pages=1, progress=progress)
+            self.verify_backup(bck)
+
+            result = bck.execute("SELECT key FROM foo"
+                                 " WHERE key >= 1000"
+                                 " ORDER BY key").fetchall()
+            self.assertEqual(result[0][0], 1001)
+
+        self.assertEqual(len(journal), 3)
+        self.assertEqual(journal[0], 1)
+        self.assertEqual(journal[1], 1)
+        self.assertEqual(journal[2], 0)
+
+    def test_failing_progress(self):
+        def progress(status, remaining, total):
+            raise SystemError('nearly out of space')
+
+        with self.assertRaises(SystemError) as err:
+            with sqlite.connect(':memory:') as bck:
+                self.cx.backup(bck, progress=progress)
+        self.assertEqual(str(err.exception), 'nearly out of space')
+
+    def test_database_source_name(self):
+        with sqlite.connect(':memory:') as bck:
+            self.cx.backup(bck, name='main')
+        with sqlite.connect(':memory:') as bck:
+            self.cx.backup(bck, name='temp')
+        with self.assertRaises(sqlite.OperationalError) as cm:
+            with sqlite.connect(':memory:') as bck:
+                self.cx.backup(bck, name='non-existing')
+        self.assertIn(
+            str(cm.exception),
+            ['SQL logic error', 'SQL logic error or missing database']
+        )
+
+        self.cx.execute("ATTACH DATABASE ':memory:' AS attached_db")
+        self.cx.execute('CREATE TABLE attached_db.foo (key INTEGER)')
+        self.cx.executemany('INSERT INTO attached_db.foo (key) VALUES (?)', [(3,), (4,)])
+        self.cx.commit()
+        with sqlite.connect(':memory:') as bck:
+            self.cx.backup(bck, name='attached_db')
+            self.verify_backup(bck)
+
+
+def suite():
+    return unittest.makeSuite(BackupTests)
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_sqlite.py b/Lib/test/test_sqlite.py
index adfcd99..9564da3 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_sqlite.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_sqlite.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 import sqlite3
 from sqlite3.test import (dbapi, types, userfunctions,
                                 factory, transactions, hooks, regression,
-                                dump)
+                                dump, backup)
 
 def load_tests(*args):
     if test.support.verbose:
@@ -18,7 +18,8 @@
                                userfunctions.suite(),
                                factory.suite(), transactions.suite(),
                                hooks.suite(), regression.suite(),
-                               dump.suite()])
+                               dump.suite(),
+                               backup.suite()])
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":
     unittest.main()
diff --git a/Misc/NEWS.d/next/Library/2017-10-05-20-41-48.bpo-27645.1Y_Wag.rst b/Misc/NEWS.d/next/Library/2017-10-05-20-41-48.bpo-27645.1Y_Wag.rst
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c4b7185
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Misc/NEWS.d/next/Library/2017-10-05-20-41-48.bpo-27645.1Y_Wag.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+:class:`sqlite3.Connection` now exposes a :class:`~sqlite3.Connection.backup`
+method, if the underlying SQLite library is at version 3.6.11
+or higher.  Patch by Lele Gaifax.
diff --git a/Modules/_sqlite/connection.c b/Modules/_sqlite/connection.c
index 3e83fb6..14b6a27 100644
--- a/Modules/_sqlite/connection.c
+++ b/Modules/_sqlite/connection.c
@@ -41,6 +41,10 @@
 #endif
 #endif
 
+#if SQLITE_VERSION_NUMBER >= 3006011
+#define HAVE_BACKUP_API
+#endif
+
 _Py_IDENTIFIER(cursor);
 
 static const char * const begin_statements[] = {
@@ -1447,6 +1451,137 @@
     return retval;
 }
 
+#ifdef HAVE_BACKUP_API
+static PyObject *
+pysqlite_connection_backup(pysqlite_Connection *self, PyObject *args, PyObject *kwds)
+{
+    PyObject *target = NULL;
+    int pages = -1;
+    PyObject *progress = Py_None;
+    const char *name = "main";
+    int rc;
+    int callback_error = 0;
+    double sleep_secs = 0.250;
+    sqlite3 *bck_conn;
+    sqlite3_backup *bck_handle;
+    static char *keywords[] = {"target", "pages", "progress", "name", "sleep", NULL};
+
+    if (!PyArg_ParseTupleAndKeywords(args, kwds, "O!|$iOsd:backup", keywords,
+                                     &pysqlite_ConnectionType, &target,
+                                     &pages, &progress, &name, &sleep_secs)) {
+        return NULL;
+    }
+
+    if (!pysqlite_check_connection((pysqlite_Connection *)target)) {
+        return NULL;
+    }
+
+    if ((pysqlite_Connection *)target == self) {
+        PyErr_SetString(PyExc_ValueError, "target cannot be the same connection instance");
+        return NULL;
+    }
+
+#if SQLITE_VERSION_NUMBER < 3008007
+    /* Since 3.8.7 this is already done, per commit
+       https://www.sqlite.org/src/info/169b5505498c0a7e */
+    if (!sqlite3_get_autocommit(((pysqlite_Connection *)target)->db)) {
+        PyErr_SetString(pysqlite_OperationalError, "target is in transaction");
+        return NULL;
+    }
+#endif
+
+    if (progress != Py_None && !PyCallable_Check(progress)) {
+        PyErr_SetString(PyExc_TypeError, "progress argument must be a callable");
+        return NULL;
+    }
+
+    if (pages == 0) {
+        pages = -1;
+    }
+
+    bck_conn = ((pysqlite_Connection *)target)->db;
+
+    Py_BEGIN_ALLOW_THREADS
+    bck_handle = sqlite3_backup_init(bck_conn, "main", self->db, name);
+    Py_END_ALLOW_THREADS
+
+    if (bck_handle) {
+        do {
+            Py_BEGIN_ALLOW_THREADS
+            rc = sqlite3_backup_step(bck_handle, pages);
+            Py_END_ALLOW_THREADS
+
+            if (progress != Py_None) {
+                PyObject *res;
+
+                res = PyObject_CallFunction(progress, "iii", rc,
+                                            sqlite3_backup_remaining(bck_handle),
+                                            sqlite3_backup_pagecount(bck_handle));
+                if (res == NULL) {
+                    /* User's callback raised an error: interrupt the loop and
+                       propagate it. */
+                    callback_error = 1;
+                    rc = -1;
+                } else {
+                    Py_DECREF(res);
+                }
+            }
+
+            /* Sleep for a while if there are still further pages to copy and
+               the engine could not make any progress */
+            if (rc == SQLITE_BUSY || rc == SQLITE_LOCKED) {
+                Py_BEGIN_ALLOW_THREADS
+                sqlite3_sleep(sleep_secs * 1000.0);
+                Py_END_ALLOW_THREADS
+            }
+        } while (rc == SQLITE_OK || rc == SQLITE_BUSY || rc == SQLITE_LOCKED);
+
+        Py_BEGIN_ALLOW_THREADS
+        rc = sqlite3_backup_finish(bck_handle);
+        Py_END_ALLOW_THREADS
+    } else {
+        rc = _pysqlite_seterror(bck_conn, NULL);
+    }
+
+    if (!callback_error && rc != SQLITE_OK) {
+        /* We cannot use _pysqlite_seterror() here because the backup APIs do
+           not set the error status on the connection object, but rather on
+           the backup handle. */
+        if (rc == SQLITE_NOMEM) {
+            (void)PyErr_NoMemory();
+        } else {
+#if SQLITE_VERSION_NUMBER > 3007015
+            PyErr_SetString(pysqlite_OperationalError, sqlite3_errstr(rc));
+#else
+            switch (rc) {
+                case SQLITE_READONLY:
+                    PyErr_SetString(pysqlite_OperationalError,
+                                    "attempt to write a readonly database");
+                    break;
+                case SQLITE_BUSY:
+                    PyErr_SetString(pysqlite_OperationalError, "database is locked");
+                    break;
+                case SQLITE_LOCKED:
+                    PyErr_SetString(pysqlite_OperationalError,
+                                    "database table is locked");
+                    break;
+                default:
+                    PyErr_Format(pysqlite_OperationalError,
+                                 "unrecognized error code: %d", rc);
+                    break;
+            }
+#endif
+        }
+    }
+
+    if (!callback_error && rc == SQLITE_OK) {
+        Py_RETURN_NONE;
+    } else {
+        return NULL;
+    }
+}
+#endif
+
 static PyObject *
 pysqlite_connection_create_collation(pysqlite_Connection* self, PyObject* args)
 {
@@ -1619,6 +1754,10 @@
         PyDoc_STR("Abort any pending database operation. Non-standard.")},
     {"iterdump", (PyCFunction)pysqlite_connection_iterdump, METH_NOARGS,
         PyDoc_STR("Returns iterator to the dump of the database in an SQL text format. Non-standard.")},
+    #ifdef HAVE_BACKUP_API
+    {"backup", (PyCFunction)pysqlite_connection_backup, METH_VARARGS | METH_KEYWORDS,
+        PyDoc_STR("Makes a backup of the database. Non-standard.")},
+    #endif
     {"__enter__", (PyCFunction)pysqlite_connection_enter, METH_NOARGS,
         PyDoc_STR("For context manager. Non-standard.")},
     {"__exit__", (PyCFunction)pysqlite_connection_exit, METH_VARARGS,
diff --git a/Modules/_sqlite/module.c b/Modules/_sqlite/module.c
index 879c666..6befa07 100644
--- a/Modules/_sqlite/module.c
+++ b/Modules/_sqlite/module.c
@@ -323,6 +323,9 @@
 #if SQLITE_VERSION_NUMBER >= 3008003
     {"SQLITE_RECURSIVE", SQLITE_RECURSIVE},
 #endif
+#if SQLITE_VERSION_NUMBER >= 3006011
+    {"SQLITE_DONE", SQLITE_DONE},
+#endif
     {(char*)NULL, 0}
 };