Mario Botta will be the architect behind the launch of Pietrelcina as a centre for tourism and religion, the place which with the San Giovanni Rotondo, is linked to Padre Pio (recently canonised by the Pope). The name of the Swiss architect is thus added, for works dedicated to Padre Pio, to that of Renzo Piano, who has been given the task of building the new church of San Giovanni Rotondo to house 10 000 worshippers inside and 40 000 on the church square, to be opened in October 2003. The initiative should transform his place of origin into a place to welcome pilgrims.

The project sees the urban regeneration of the centre and the initiatives to make Pietrelcina an important religious tourist centre, with investments of 76 million Euro and around 800 new jobs. A hostel with 200 beds is planned along with restaurants, services, a congress centre and a four star hotel with 200/250 rooms.

The news will be made official on Thursday 20 June during a press conference which will include the participation of the sculptor Mimmo Palladino (who lives a few kilometres away from Pietrelcina and will be involved in the project) and Antonio Bassolino, president of the Regione Campania.

https://www.botta.ch