Via Crucis San Giovanni Rotondo (english)

VIA CRUCIS

San Giovanni Rotondo

The Via Crucis of St. Giovanni Rotondo is situated near the Church of St. dellla Maria delle Grazie, and climbs on Mount Castellano, in the western part of town. Before it there was another along the Avenue of the Capuchins, who was replaced by this actual.

The first stone was laid on Sept. 22, 1968, with the presence of Padre Pio, the day before his death. It was inaugurated in 1971.

Before the climb there welcomes a statue of Padre Pio placed at its base. It is surrounded by two ramps of stairs that continue ascending  reunited towards a statue of the Madonna and Child.

 

  

 

All around, in the pine forest of the "Park of the Good Shepherd," the little road that goes around and intersects the staircase is lined by 14 stations bronze sculptor Francesco Messina. The Fifth Station Padre Pio helps Jesus to raise the Cross.

At the height of the staircase of the "Avenue of the Madonna" (there are around 152 steps) we get to an open space where stands the beautiful Risen Christ, by the same Messina.