The Church of San Leonardo Abate, mother church of San Giovanni Rotondo, has medieval origins but was completely rebuilt after Cardinal Vincenzo Maria Orsini—later Pope Benedict XIII—ordered its demolition in 1676 due to its poor condition and superstitious practices. The new church was laid in 1678 and reopened in 1684. Expanded and restored over the centuries, including a lateral nave added in 1909, it features a façade with statues, monumental portals, and a bell tower with five bells. Inside, its two naves preserve six side altars, a refined baptistery, and artworks ranging from the 15th to the 20th century, including wooden statues of St. John the Baptist, St. Michael, and St. Leonard, patron saint of the city. It also housed historic congregations that shaped the town’s religious identity.
- Address
Corso Regina Margherita, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy - Web
http://www.sanleonardoabate.it/ - Visiting Hours
Every day from 6:30 to 12:00 and from 16:00 to 21:00 - What to see
Paintings and sculptures
