San Giovanni Rotondo: a day at the place of Padre Pio 🙏✨

Some time ago, I went to visit a very dear friend who was staying at the hospital founded by Padre Pio in 1956—the Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza (Home for the Relief of Suffering). It is not a tourist attraction, so to speak, but rather the most tangible proof of the legacy left by this Saint—a place where faith has translated into medical care, research, and assistance for the sick. I took some photos during my visit to the hospital and the adjacent Sanctuary of Santa Maria delle Grazie—the spiritual heart of San Giovanni Rotondo, a major pilgrimage center linked to Padre Pio.

So, since I had these photos, I thought, "Why not make a post about it?" Construction on the sanctuary—or rather, the work to build it—began in 1968. You can visit it for free, and it is a very unique and moving place; there is a real sense of quiet reverence inside the sanctuary.

You know well that I’m not particularly religious; when I visit places like this, I always do so with a secular perspective—though also with the aim of understanding and seeing sites that are artistically fascinating. In any case, the Casa Sollievo—Padre Pio’s hospital—has around 900 beds and is a non-profit facility, although I’ve recently learned that it is unfortunately facing severe financial difficulties, likely because it relies solely on charitable donations. It has always been a crucial hospital for the local area, yet it draws people from all over the world; this is because it offers over 50 clinical specialties and more than 4,300 diagnostic and therapeutic services, and reportedly records over 60,000 admissions annually—so, all in all, it’s a very popular and highly sought-after hospital.

As I mentioned, at the sanctuary you can see both the old church and the large new one; the old church dates back to 1540, while an expansion was carried out in 1959. Beneath it lies the historic crypt where Padre Pio’s remains were kept, and the interior features numerous mosaics. All in all, it is a beautiful place to visit—though, to be honest, it isn't necessarily the most amazing church I’ve ever seen. Still, if you happen to be in the area, I think it’s worth a visit to see these sites that are part of the religious tourism circuit. Thanks for reading, and see you next time.