The chapel created by architect Eduardo Souto de Moura features thick walls of Vicenza stone and has an isosceles trapezoid shape with a recessed entrance space. The architect describes it as "not a chapel, not a sanctuary, and certainly not a tomb. It's just a place enclosed by four stone walls." The stone blocks are directly embedded in the ground, and the chapel lacks a floor.
The large stone slabs used are dry-laid, meaning they are joined without the use of mortar, employing a specific joint to connect the monolithic blocks. The stone elements, smooth on the inside but rough on the outside, clearly display the marks of their craftsmanship.
A single element of Vicenza stone covers the altar area. Along the walls, a bench is carved for seating. A lightly engraved cross on the stone is illuminated by the cut of light from above.
This space is characterized by its strong simplicity and connection to ancient materials and forms, offering a place for reflection and spirituality firmly rooted in the earth and history.
Foto di Veronica Giannella per Fondazione Giorgio Cini.
