If you’re holidaying on the Lake Maggiore, make sure you go to the Swiss mountain village of Mogno to see Mario Botta’s Mountain Church arise triumphantly from the alpine landscape. How and why the contemporary Church of San Giovanni Battista, designed by the renowned Swiss architect came to be here begins with an Evento Catastrofico.
An avalanche struck
In 1986, an avalanche struck the Swiss mountain village and levelled the original circa 1626 Church of San Giovanni Battista and twelve houses dotted around the small hamlet.
Mario Botta’s design
The “Association for the Construction of the Church of Mogno” set about rebuilding what nature had taken away. Thousands of benefactors contributed to the project and not surprisingly, there was controversy surrounding the architect Mario Botta’s innovative design.
Rebuilding took four years
Construction began in 1992 and took four years to complete. The new church is 17 meters high – the same height as the original bell tower and is located in the same position and orientation as the original. Two bells dating back to 1746 were salvaged from the original church and have been incorporated into the new design.
Design has become a landmark
The extraordinary design was extremely controversial, however, it has become a landmark for the Swiss mountain village. The church’s thick walls are built for resistance against future disasters and are well balanced by the lightness of the glass cover that looks to the sky. Most importantly the view through the glass roof to the sky is otherworldly.
Clad in local granite and marble
The building is clad inside and out in alternating bands of grey Riveo granite and white Peccia marble and has no windows in the traditional sense. The illumination inside comes from the natural light that streams in through the glass roof, enhancing the granite checkerboard pattern of the interior. The church’s simple wooden benches seat just 15 people.
Sitting proudly in the valley
The result speaks for itself. The design sits perfectly in the alpine landscape and stands out among the villages traditional houses. The new Church of San Giovanni Battista has become something of enigma, much photographed and written about. It’s notoriety and appreciation extends way beyond Switzerland.
Mogno is an interesting place to visit. It is located in the Ticino canton of Switzerland and therefore is a picturesque drive up to the village in a valley from the Lago Maggiore.
Make sure you drive onto the Swiss mountain village of Fusio to sample some of the local food, sitting on the sunny terrace. Their speciality is a ‘Ticinese Platter’ which is made from the local cheese and meats.
Read more about the church.
Our local tip
When the weather is hot on the lake Maggiore head for the valleys. They are cooler, and give a few hours relief from the sun.
Location
Want to know more?
See out story on Lago Maggiore, Switzerland’s best-kept secret.