Moving from the African Beach , along the Holy Route of the Saracens, already covered for thousand years by the pilgrims, we arrive to S. Maria of Stignano, place of penetration of the Holy Route, carrying on towards San Marco in Lamis, with the close Monastery of S. Matteo, arisen during the IV century and set on a hill that dominates the valley.
San Giovanni Rotondo, a country where its history melts itself with that of the Blessed Father Pio from Pietralcina.
The pilgrim could visit the grave,
the cell and the crucifix in front of the Blessed Father received the stigmata , and the Via Crucis , entirely sculpted by F. Messina.
In the neighbourhood “ Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza”.
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| Travelling along a inside route, we arrive to Monte S. Angelo with its Basilica of S. Michele.
The cult of the saint-warrior goes back to V century and has been spread in the Western world by the Longobards , becoming a compulsory stage for all the crusaders headed towards the Holy Land, the pilgrims, the most aristocrats and the humbles, with a devoutness never broken off.
Descending towards the plain, we continue our route to the Basilica of S. Maria of Siponto,
a Romanesque church with a squared plant going back to the XI century, another stage for crusaders and pilgrims ; a few meters from it there is the
Abbey of S. Leonardo that shows a wonderful front door ,
wholly sculpted with allegorical features , according to the style and religious standards of the Romanesque. |
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