SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO

The city has decided to form a sister city relationship with Capestrano, Italy, to foster an understanding of other cultures and strengthen ceremonial ties. Capestrano was chosen because of its historical ties to San Juan Capistrano.

The city was named after St. John of Capestrano, who was a famous Franciscan preacher of the 15th century.

Capestrano, Italy, is a small town in the foothills of the Gran Sasso National Park, which is about 70 miles from Rome.

San Juan Capistrano has sister-city relationships with two other cities: Petra, Spain, which is the birthplace of Father Junipero Serra, and Goya, Argentina, which is the winter home of the swallows.