Architect(s): Renzo Piano Building Workshop
Address: Piazzale Santa Maria delle Grazie, SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO, Italy
Latitude/Longitude: 41.706902,15.702979
The increasing number of pilgrims visiting San Giovanni Rotondo lead to the design of this church. It has a capacity of 6,500 people opposite to its small height of 16 metres. The vast external precinct can hold some 30,000 on a surface of 9,000 square metres. The structure has a spiral-shaped movement: the dome sweeps down from the centre towards the precinct in a gesture of welcoming invitation. The technical challenge of the project lies in The use of local stone as a structural material was the technical challenge of this project. Twenty stone arches arranged in radial fashion holding up the vast roof are in fact included to the church.
