Santa Maria Goretti Church

Last year, Mario Cucinella Architects completed a stunning new parish church on the northern edge of Mormanno in Italy, a Calabrian hill town. With stunning views of Pollino National Park, the monolithic structure is dedicated to Saint Maria Goretti, the Catholic Church’s youngest saint who died at the age of twelve.

Interestingly, this is Cucinella’s first “religious” project; he says that the design was (courtesy of Stirworld), “inspired from natural forms and the traditional, austere apses of Calabrian, Byzantine churches built by monks. The architect won the commission that was organized by the Episcopal Conference of Italy, the national assembly of bishops. The church’s construction began in 2016 and took five years to complete.

Santa Maria Goretti Church’s architecture also drew inspiration from the ancient Calabrian churches that were built by monks. Those churches were scattered along the Roman Empire’s farthest territories; the churches traditionally had apses and were built as safe havens for those escaping religious persecution and conquest.

The gently-flowing white concrete promotes “modernity and timelessness.” Cucinella elegantly described the church, “White is timeless and has a strong association with faith. It also introduces light in a way that enhances the reading of the sculptural forms at Santa Maria Goretti.” Throughout the church, there is very little detailing and a minimalistic approach to curvy surfaces. The smooth, all-white exterior mimics an irregular four-leaf clover form that is a stunning juxtaposition against the town’s many heavy stone structures.

The church can be reached via a paved road; in order to enter the building, you have to walk through a crucifix that is essentially placed through a tall incision on one of the white concrete apses. The illuminated wall can be seen from far away… perhaps the hope is that the light is a star guiding the three kings to visit baby Jesus in Bethlehem.

The layout has a flowing structure which feels monumental inside… (courtesy of All About Italy), “the central space relates in different ways with the side chapels.” The clergy enters from behind the altar, through a sacristy that hides the church’s bells. Worshipers enter from the north where engraved words relating to Saint Maria Goretti’s “accomplishments” are inscribed.

Inside and above, there is an unexpected twist… translucent, free-flowing drapes hang from the 52-foot high ceiling. Creating a soft light, the design is ethereal, allowing for sunlight to filter in. The undulating veil helps to prove Cucinella’s point: “Inside, the relationship between art and architecture continues.”

The skylights let the daylight shine in… filtering in through the “sculpturesque” drapes that are a focal point in the nave. As the architect said beautifully, “Here, nature, art, architecture and religious faith and symbolism work in spiritual harmony.”