Pietrelcina between the Castello, churches and Rosario routes

Pietrelcina combines the historic Castello district with churches, places commemorating Padre Pio and rural paths.

Castello, rock and historic lanes

The historic center of Pietrelcina, known as Castello, lies on a limestone spur. In the Rione Castello, centuries-old houses stand on exposed rock; narrow lanes and steep descents characterize the district. Porta Madonnella lies to the east and was the main entrance to the historic Castello. At the gate there is an image shrine decorated with majolica tiles, probably from the Cerreto school of the 18th century.

Churches with a special history

The Chiesa di Sant'Anna is the oldest church in Pietrelcina; its structure dates from the 18th century. Inside is a stone and wooden baptismal font where Padre Pio was baptized. Beneath the altar, the church preserves an urn containing the relics of a martyr, which were transferred from the Roman catacombs to Pietrelcina in 1801.

The Chiesa della Sacra Famiglia was built at Padre Pio's express request between 1926 and 1951 and consecrated in 1951. Admission is free. Padre Pio celebrated his first Mass in the Chiesa di Santa Maria degli Angeli on August 14, 1910. This church is the church of Madonna della Libera, the patron saint of Pietrelcina.

Following in Padre Pio's footsteps

The Museo Padre Pio di Pietrelcina tells the story of Padre Pio's life. It displays paintings by Francesco Gentile depicting the surroundings and landscape that shaped Padre Pio's life story. The Casa Natale di Padre Pio is the room at Vico Storto Valle 27 where Francesco Forgione was born on May 25, 1887.

Padre Pio founded his first prayer group at Porta Madonnella. La Torretta was Padre Pio's accommodation from 1909 to 1912. At the Olmo delle Stimmate, Padre Pio first received the stigmata in September 1910; today, a dry tree trunk remains at this site. Construction of the Cappella di San Francesco began in 1958 at the site where Padre Pio's hut had previously stood.

Rosario routes and rural landscapes

The Cammino del Rosario is a rural path leading from Pietrelcina's town center to Piana Romana. It crosses a small bridge and includes ascents and steep descents. A personal day itinerary can therefore explicitly include the ascents and steep descents of the Cammino del Rosario. The Via del Rosario begins in the Pantaniello district at the foot of the Morgione and also ends in Piana Romana.

Discover more places

More places for your trip to Italy: Castelvenere, Pesco Sannita, San Bartolomeo In Galdo, Pino, Pontelandolfo, San Salvatore Telesino, Bucciano, Buonalbergo.

To the higher-level travel overview: Benevento.