Caplutta Sogn Benedetg
Sumvitg
Graubünden
Switzerland
Peter Zumthor and Annalisa Zumthor-Cuorad
1985-1988
A cylinder that turns into an
oval and then into a keel: the geometry of this church, however
definite, is also dynamic and elusive to the eye, all this exacerbated by
the implantation of the building on a steep slope.
The form keeps on rebelling against any final definition as the
appendage of the entrance is added seamlessly to the main body of the
building, adding concavity to the convexity of the overall form.
Stepping inside the issue of form becomes clear, even if most of us will
remain unaware that we are standing inside a
'lemniscate,
an algebraic curve to the fourth power forming the figure of an '8',
which proportionally shortened also determines the sections'
You
feel the reassurance of being in a church, the axiality of the plan, the
enclosing curve behind the altar, the height of the space enhanced by
the series of pillars and the light coming from above, penetrating
through a continuous band of windows that separate the ceiling from the
wall, isolating it and revealing the geometry and the focal point of the
space which is drawn by the beams that support the roof.
The care for the quality of detailing is sustained even in those places where the eye is not supposed to observe (during your visit
take a look behind the concrete stairs of the entrance). The sensuality
extracted from the materials is a matter for many more lines, so as
Zumthor has repeatedly stated we shouldn't talk more about the building,
the building is there, standing... go and experience it yourself.
By public transport: From the city of
Chur, take the train Rhätische
Bahn to Disentis/Mustér. Stop at Sumvitg-Cumpadials. Follow the hiking
signs from the station to the town of Sumvitg, from there you can either
walk to San Benedetg by the paved road or hike through the trails in the
forest. The hiking path takes you there faster but you must be in a good
physical condition because the hill is very steep and the path
demanding. The paved road is much longer but a softer slope.
By car: From Chur follow the direction of Disentis until you reach
Sumvitg. Take a
right upward turn to S. Benedetg at the back of the village.
The church is continually open
for visitors.
For rail timetable information
see Swiss Rail at www.sbb.ch
and Rhätisches Bahn at www.rhb.ch.
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