San Giovanni Rotondo
Welcome to San Giovanni Rotondo: a historical and religious town
San Giovanni Rotondo is an Italian town located in the province of Foggia, famous for being the home of Padre Pio, a friar from the Order of Capuchin Friars Minor. The town, which is part of the Gargano National Park, has a population of 26,248 inhabitants and is known for its history and its religious importance. In this article, we will explore the different sections of the town, its geography, seismicity, climate, and its ancient and contemporary history.
Physical Geography
Territory
San Giovanni Rotondo is located in the north of Puglia, specifically in the province of Foggia, and borders San Marco in Lamis and Borgo Celano (a fraction of San Marco in Lamis) to the north and west, Monte Sant'Angelo to the east, and Manfredonia and Foggia to the south. The town extends from the slopes of Gargano to the Tavoliere delle Puglie plain and is the 62nd largest town in Italy by area. The altitude difference varies between 5 and 700 meters. It is possible to visit the Grava di Campolato, a beautiful natural area, in the town's territory.
Seismicity
San Giovanni Rotondo is located in a medium seismic zone, i.e., zone 2 of Italy's seismic classification.
Climate
The town's climate is characterized by cold winters and fairly warm summers, with an average annual temperature of 14°C. It is not uncommon to see snow during the winter months, between January and February. The town receives about 720 mm of rainfall per year but is not heavily affected by fog.
History
San Giovanni Rotondo has a long and fascinating history. In the 4th century BC, there was a village on the town's current territory, on whose ruins the town was founded in 1095. In the Late Middle Ages, it has always played an important role in the economy of the South. In 1466, the feudal lands of San Giovanni Rotondo, together with those of Monte Sant'Angelo and Trani, were donated by Ferdinand I of Naples to Giorgio Castriota Scanderbeg, a hero of Albanian resistance against the Ottomans.
Under the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, San Giovanni Rotondo was the place where the prices of the goods traded within the Kingdom were set. In 1623, it was erected as a duchy by Philip IV of Spain in favor of Pietro Cavaniglia.
Contemporary History
On October 14, 1920, San Giovanni Rotondo was the scene of serious political clashes. It was the day of the Socialists' installation in the town hall, who had won the elections against the clerical-fascist popular coalition "Arditi di Cristo." In fear of riots, 40 carabinieri and 82 soldiers arrived in the town. The strong tension arose from the desire to display the red flag from the town hall's balcony, to which the fascists and the Italian People's Party opposed. A popular procession marched through the streets of San Giovanni Rotondo to accompany the new administrators to their installation.
Conclusions
San Giovanni Rotondo is a historical and religious town located in the Italian region of Puglia. Its geographical location, natural beauties, seismicity, and varied climate make it a highly recommended tourist destination. In addition, the town's ancient and contemporary history can only arouse great interest. Come and visit San Giovanni Rotondo and discover all its hidden treasures. We await you with our warm smiles and hospitality.
