Area Description: The city of San Giovanni Rotondo takes its name from the Rotonda di San Giovanni, an old building on the edge of the old town. But the city today is best known for the Shrine of Padre Pio, which centers on his tomb inside the Church of Our Lady of Grace (Santa Maria delle Grazie). Here you can also see his cell, his confessional, the crucifix from which he received the stigmata, and nearly everything he owned or touched, carefully preserved and labeled. Santa Maria delle Grazie (Our Lady of Grace) is a new church built during Padre Pio's lifetime (1956-59) to accommodate the many pilgrims and worshippers attracted to San Giovanni Rotondo. The east wall bears a splendid mosaic Behind Santa Maria delle Grazie is the Padre Pio Pilgrimage Church, completed in 2004 and considered a notable example of modern architecture. Designed by the Genoan architect Renzo Piano, it can accommodate 6,500 people seated at worsh ... [Read More]

Area Description: The city of San Giovanni Rotondo takes its name from the Rotonda di San Giovanni, an old building on the edge of the old town. But the city today is best known for the Shrine of Padre Pio, which centers on his tomb inside the Church of Our Lady of Grace (Santa Maria delle Grazie). Here you can also see his cell, his confessional, the crucifix from which he received the stigmata, and nearly everything he owned or touched, carefully preserved and labeled. Santa Maria delle Grazie (Our Lady of Grace) is a new church built during Padre Pio's lifetime (1956-59) to accommodate the many pilgrims and worshippers attracted to San Giovanni Rotondo. The east wall bears a splendid mosaic Behind Santa Maria delle Grazie is the Padre Pio Pilgrimage Church, completed in 2004 and considered a notable example of modern architecture. Designed by the Genoan architect Renzo Piano, it can accommodate 6,500 people seated at worship and 30,000 people standing outside. The shrine also includes a modern Way of the Cross (Via Crucis) on the forested hillside above Santa Maria delle Grazie. The Via Crucis monumentale was begun in 1968 (one day before Padre Pio's death) and completed in 1981. Made of granite with bronze and marble sculptures, it was designed by Sicilian sculptor Francesco Messina. Getting There San Giovanni Rotondo is located on the Gargano Promontory in Puglia, 180 miles east of Rome and 120 miles north of Naples. Driving directions: From Rome, take the autostrada A24 for Aquila, then take the A25 after about a half-hour. On A25, continue for Bari, exiting at San Severo and following the signs for San Giovanni Rotondo. From Naples, take the autostrada A16 toward Bari. Exit at Candel and follow signs for Foggia. Before entering Foggia, take the ring road and follow signs for San Giovanni Rotondo. By train: The nearest train station is at Foggia, which has daily connections with Rome. During the daytime, a bus runs from Foggia station to San Giovanni Rotondo, which takes one hour. By bus: There is express bus service from Rome Tiburtina to San Giovanni Rotondo, departing at 6:15am and arriving at 11:20am. Another important Catholic shrine, Monte Sant'Angelo, is just 14 miles east. There is regular bus service from San Giovanni Rotondo.