The Saint
The Saint is a spiritual and cultural itinerary that connects the places associated with the life of Saint Joseph of Copertino, forming a continuous route across multiple Italian regions.
The project is officially recognized by the Apulia Region and is developed through collaboration with other regions and major cities, shaping an initiative that is innovative in both structure and vision within the national context.
It is not conceived as a path to reach a finish line, but for what is encountered along the way, where the beauty of the places is accompanied by an immaterial and deeply personal dimension.
Structure of the itinerary
The project is organized into three route options, all part of a single, unified system.
The route known as the Originale extends for approximately 1,100 kilometers. Starting from Copertino, it crosses the Tyrrhenian side of the peninsula and reconnects with Osimo.
The Civile route, covering 597 kilometers, links Osimo to Copertino along the Adriatic side, following a direct path between the two main poles.
From the combination of these two routes comes the complete path, called the Ultracammino. It reaches a total length of 1,697 kilometers and forms a continuous loop.
Saint Joseph of Copertino
The route follows the key stages in the life of Saint Joseph of Copertino, a prominent figure in Italian spirituality.
He is known for extraordinary events that made him widely recognized, but his story is first and foremost that of a simple person, often tested by life, who found a steady foundation in faith. This aspect still makes him a relatable and understandable figure today.
Following his path means moving through the places of his life and retracing a journey not chosen, but one he passed through, ultimately finding meaning within it.
The meaning of the route
The itinerary unfolds through a network of sacred places, including sanctuaries, basilicas, convents, and centers of spirituality, which form the core of the experience.
These places hold more than historical or architectural value. They are spaces where one can pause, slow down, and step away from the ordinary pace of life. The itinerary exists for this reason as well: to offer a context in which time changes and becomes more essential.
The route does not impose a single meaning, but creates the conditions to find one’s own, whether connected to faith, personal reflection, or simply the desire for a different kind of experience.
Travel times
Travel times are indicative and vary depending on the chosen mode.
The Originale route, approximately 1,100 kilometers, takes on average 45 to 55 days on foot and 10 to 14 days by bicycle.
The Civile route, 597 kilometers, takes on average 24 to 30 days on foot and 5 to 8 days by bicycle.
The complete route, the Ultracammino, at 1,697 kilometers, takes between 70 and 85 days on foot and 15 to 22 days by bicycle.
The territories
The route crosses a wide and diverse portion of Italy, connecting very different territories within a single continuous path.
From the Adriatic side, through Marche, Abruzzo, Molise, and Apulia, it extends inland and along the opposite side of the peninsula, the Tyrrhenian side, involving Lazio, Campania, and additional transitional areas that complete its structure.
It brings together coastlines, historic cities, villages, and less central areas, creating continuity between very different contexts. Each segment changes rhythm, landscape, and identity, while remaining part of the same design.
Why undertake it
To slow down.
To rediscover meaning.
To cross Italy following the footsteps of someone who transformed simplicity into something extraordinary.
The Saint is a route. But above all, it is a direction.