San Giovanni Rotondo Religious Heritage Walks

San Giovanni Rotondo is the core of the spiritual soul of the Gargano, an important destination for devotional practices and religious pilgrimages.

San Giovanni Rotondo is famous all over the world as the native city of St. Pio (known as Padre Pio) of Pietrelcina, and as the city where the venerated monk worked his miracles. Pio was beatified in 2002. In the Capuchin Monastery Padre Pio received the stigmata in 1918, and there where all those supernatural events that led to his sainthood and canonization took place as well. Visiting this Monastery and viewing the chambers where St. Pio conducted his life means jumping into a context of spirituality and mysticism; it is a destination that the devout and tourists alike should make every effort to visit.

Follow the footsteps of Saint Padre Pio to the Puglian town of San Giovanni Rotondo on a 2-night independent trip from Rome! The pretty town is one of Italy’s most sacred Catholic pilgrimage sites, home to a shrine dedicated to the Padre Pio – a humble Capuchin monk with miraculous healing powers. With 3- or 4-star hotel accommodation, round-trip train tickets from Rome to Foggia plus private transfers to San Giovanni Rotondo included, this trip allows you to learn all about the much-loved Italian saint at your own pace.

The tour itinerary will unite the most significant places: the "ancient" church, the "new" church, both dedicated to Santa Maria delle Grazie, the Monastery and the new sanctuary. The ancient church of the mid-1500s has a very simple façade and inside it is composed of a single baroque style nave. At a second entrance to the convent is the cell of Padre Pio and the crypt where the body of Padre Pio was housed before being transferred to the nearby sanctuary. The visit continues with the "new" church, built for the explicit desire of Padre Pio, with the intention of being able to accommodate in an appropriate manner the considerable flow of thousands of pilgrims that flowed ever more numerous to San Giovanni Rotondo. The tour ends at the Sanctuary, designed by architect Renzo Piano, one of the largest churches in Italy, capable of holding up to 7,000 people.

Discover the significant places in the life of Padre Pio on a guided tour of San Giovanni Rotondo. Start at the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, where you can visit the Complex that welcomed the Saint and the Crypt that houses his body. Continue your journey in the Capuchin Friars Convent, where Padre Pio lived for almost 50 years, and finish at the Grande Santuario DA Renzo Piano, admiring extraordinary works of art. A unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the spirituality and history of this beloved saint. - Meeting with the Guide at the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie - Visit to the Crypt and the significant places of Padre Pio's life - Guided tour in the Capuchin Friars Convent - Conclusion at the Great Sanctuary with works of art by Renzo Piano

Our tour with transfer allows you to reach with a comfortable transfer in minivan San Giovanni Rotondo and visit it with a guided walking tour

San Giovanni Rotondo is famous all over the world as the native city of St. Pio (known as Padre Pio) of Pietrelcina, and as the city where the venerated monk worked his miracles. Pio was beatified in 2002.In the Capuchin Monastery Padre Pio received the stigmata in 1918, and there where all those supernatural events that led to his sainthood and canonization took place as well. Visiting this Monastery and viewing the chambers where St. Pio conducted his life means jumping into a context of spirituality and mysticism; it is a destination that the devout and tourists alike should make every effort to visit. The Church’s crypt also hosted, up until a few years ago, the tomb of St. Pio. Next to the Monastery rises the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie. This profound mixture of historic, religious and architectonic elements render the Sanctuaries of Padre Pio an indubitable point of interest for all, including those who are not particularly devout, or who may not profess any faith at all.

On the East coast of Italy lies one of the most popular pilgrimage destinations in Italy. It attracts visitors from around the world. He was to spend the rest of his life here and was known for his many mystical experiences and spiritual gifts. It was said that he could read souls–if you went to confession to him and left something out he would not hesitate to remind you. And his confessions were highly popular, with long hours devoted to the Sacrament. You can still see his confessional when you visit his shrine today.Other gifts that he received were prophecy, bilocation, odor of sanctity and miraculous healings. It was said that he predicted that Karol Wojtyla (Pope John Paul II) would one day become Pope.But he is perhaps best known for having received the Stigmata (the wounds of Christ). He was pierced with the 5 wounds of Christ while praying before a crucifix.

Discover our itinerary of San Giovanni Rotondo, visiting Assisi and Rome in a way never seen before, with the main sights and getting to know the religious and cultural places, as well as nature and exclusive places through our specialized guide. Our tour always includes all taxes and tickets included with the highest quality. An unforgettable experience.

This private tour from Rome to San Giovanni Rotondo offers a personalized journey into the life and legacy of Padre Pio. With a private guide and a comfortable, climate-controlled vehicle, you’ll travel in style while enjoying scenic views of the Italian countryside. Upon arrival, visit the most important sites tied to Padre Pio’s history, starting with the Santuario di Padre Pio, where you will pay respects at his tomb and explore the modern basilica. Next, visit the historic Convento Santa Maria delle Grazie, where Padre Pio lived, prayed, and performed miracles. The tour also includes a walk along the Via Crucis Monumentale, allowing for a meaningful reflection on the Stations of the Cross. This full-day tour provides a comprehensive and intimate experience, perfect for those seeking a deeper connection to Padre Pio’s spiritual journey.

Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis, has many sites relating to the life of the Saint which can be visited. The city’s masterpiece, the Basilica of St. Francis is important both from a religious and artistic perspective. Move on to San Giovanni Rotondo, located in the south of Italy which is the second most visited Catholic Shrine in the world. Saint Padre Pio was a Capuchin Friar, priest and mystic known for his devotion to God, care for the sick and supernatural gifts. He died in 1968 and was declared a Saint in 2002. Bari, cultural crossroads since ancient times, is an ideal starting point, a city where two souls meet, the old town and the modern town. A wonderful example of Apulian Romanesque architecture is the imposing Basilica di San Nicola (Saint Nicholas's Basilica), where the holy relics of the famous saint are kept.