San Giovanni Rotondo

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 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.

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.

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

Pay your respects and learn some fascinating history during this private 10-hour trip from Sorrento, Salerno, or Naples to the town of San Giovanni Rotondo in Puglia, where the Shrine of Padre Pio is located. You will visit the Convent with Cell of Padre Pio, the Crucifix, the old Crypt where he was buried until 2004, the Church of St Mary Delle Grazie and at the end the New Church opened in 2008 and dedicated to Him. The New Church was designed by the famous architect Renzo Piano and is built on two levels: the ground floor is the real Church, the lower floor is a smaller Church decorated with beautiful mosaics and inside the Altar in a glass coffin rest the remain of Padre Pio.

Set off from Rome on a spiritual journey to San Giovanni Rotondo, the city that houses the Shrine of Padre Pio. You will be picked up at your hotel or apartment in Rome and travel in a comfortable air-conditioned minivan, accompanied by your tour assistant, to the heart of Puglia. Upon arrival you will begin your visit to the Shrine of Padre Pio, one of the most important places of pilgrimage in the Catholic world. Explore the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie where Padre Pio lived and served for many years. Admire his memories and relics, including the saint's incorruptible body. Then visit the new Church of San Pio da Pietrelcina, designed by the famous architect Renzo Piano, which houses the crypt where the remains of Padre Pio rest. Take time to pray and reflect in this sacred place. After the visit you will have free time to have lunch and return to Rome having lived a unique spiritual and cultural experience.

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. Pius 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 journey to Puglia takes us to this town in the province of Foggia, which receives 6 million visitors every year. All thanks to the figure of St. Pius, who lived and did good works here. Beloved and controversial figure, he is undoubtedly the great protagonist of the history of Catholicism of the last century. A reputation that lasts for decades, if not centuries, to come. He thanks a small town in the Gargano, which saw its tourism explode thanks to the portentous presence of this man. In San Giovanni Rotondo, Padre Pio spent almost all his life, and he did the works there. The faithful look to miracles, but even those who do not believe cannot deny the influence that the humble Capuchin friar has had on the masses. A great personality. Whether you are believers or not, the cult of San Pio can be an excuse to visit a delightful village in the country, those that can only be admired if you opt for holidays in Italy.

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, followed by the Musei Ricordi di Padre Pio, which houses his personal belongings. 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.

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.

Take the worry out of your departure to Bari Airport and pre-book a private transfer to suit your group size (up to 8 people). Avoid the long lines for taxis at the hotel, and travel in the comfort of a Premium car or minivan.

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.

The use of private cars with professional drivers is the best choice for those who want to travel in total independence. The possibility of choosing the times, the place of pick-up and arrival and how many times you want to stop to get off the vehicle, are an added value for the organization of your holiday.

This is  a private full day tour with a private driver  of San Giovanni Rotondo  you'll have to cross the Italian Peninsula from east to west. In fact it is situated in the Region of Puglia really close to the Adriatic Sea. Depart From your hotel or apartment at 8:00am to do a full day tour of San Giovanni Rotondo

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.

Take the worry out of your arrival to Bari (BRI) Airport and pre-book a private transfer to suit your group size (up to 8 people). Avoid the long lines for taxis on arrival, and travel in the comfort of a Premium car or minivan.

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.