Pietrelcina, the birthplace of Padre Pio

There are many reasons why every year Pietrelcina, a small town in the province of Benevento, collects thousands of tourists, first of all because it was the birthplace of Padre Pio.

Origins of the country

The name of the country, Pietrelcina, derives from the greek Petra Pucina (meaning small stone). Pietrelcina was born in the Middle Ages, then it went through difficult times with several sieges by the Normans and natural disasters. Despite everything it has preserved several historical sites, including some remains of the Mother Church, or more commonly known as the Church of St. Anne.

It was in this building that Padre Pio was baptized in 1886 and later he celebrated his first mass. St. Anne Church dates back to around the thirteenth century, then due to an earthquake it was severely damaged and later restored and made accessible again. Once inside you can see the two aisles, and a magnificent and majestic wooden panelled ceiling painted with some wooden sculptures.

The house of Padre Pio

Pietrelcina is a small town in Campania, located on a hill in the province of Benevento. Francesco Forgione, better known as Padre Pio, was born in this small village in the faraway May 1887.

His birthplace is located in the alley Storto Valle at number 27. Remained exactly as it was at the time, today it is possible to visit the different rooms, such as the bedroom, the small hatch that led to the barn, the kitchen and the hearth where the saint heated.

If you want to know the whole life of Padre Pio is also possible to visit the house of Padre Michele, where Padre Pio lived for various years (1912-1916), but also many other places connected with the life of the saint, which constitute an interesting historical path as well as spiritual.

Pietrelcina is not a goal destined only to devotees of Padre Pio, but also a place rich in history, art and nature that will bring pleasant surprises also to those who are not interested in the religious aspects.