San Giovanni Rotondo

We tried to visit San Giovanni Rotondo, but the town was so crowded with pilgrims, that we could not even park the car. So we cruised around - and left again.

Padre Pio (aka "Saint Pio of Pietrelcina") lived here from 1916 to his death on 23 September 1968. The stigmatized saint was already venerated during his lifetime. The "Santuario di San Pio da Pietrelcina" was completed in 2004. The huge church has space for 6,500 people, while about 30,000 people can gather on the forecourt. It is estimated that 7 million people visit San Giovanni Rotondo each year.

We found this statue just outside the town.