ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Mario Cucinella completes Santa Maria Goretti Church in Calabria

architecture-design · 2026-04-27

Located in Mormanno, Cosenza, Calabria, the Church of Santa Maria Goretti, created by Mario Cucinella Architects alongside artist Giuseppe Maraniello, covers an area of 950 square meters and reaches a height of 16 meters. Drawing inspiration from Baroque architecture, it boasts a cruciform layout with petal-like shapes to optimize light and space. The main facade showcases a cross that glows at sunset, and on July 6, a window aligns perfectly with the crucifix, illuminating it. The church features translucent ceiling drapes for a cozy ambiance, with minimalistic furnishings crafted from wood and steel by MC D – Mario Cucinella Design. Sustainable elements include green roofs and an organic garden. It is among three winners of a 2011 CEI competition for church design.

Key facts

  • Church of Santa Maria Goretti in Mormanno, Calabria, designed by Mario Cucinella Architects.
  • Collaboration with Neapolitan artist Giuseppe Maraniello for liturgical furnishings and mosaics.
  • 950 square meters, 16 meters high, inspired by Baroque churches like Sant'Andrea delle Fratte and San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane.
  • Cruciform plan with four petal-like arms; facade cross formed by portal intersection and envelope folds.
  • On July 6, a ray of light aligns with the crucifix through a window.
  • Translucent veils inside create aurora borealis effect; minimal wood and steel furnishings by MC D.
  • Sustainability: planted roofs, internal courtyards, organic garden for rectory.
  • One of three winning projects from 2011 CEI competition; other churches by Tagliabue/Cucchi and Leto/Battistella/Bertoldo.

Entities

Artists

  • Mario Cucinella
  • Giuseppe Maraniello
  • Benedetta Tagliabue
  • Enzo Cucchi
  • Francesca Leto
  • Michele Battistella
  • Daniele Bertoldo

Institutions

  • Mario Cucinella Architects
  • MC D – Mario Cucinella Design
  • Conferenza Episcopale Italiana (CEI)
  • Artribune

Locations

  • Mormanno
  • Cosenza
  • Calabria
  • Italy
  • Ferrara-Comacchio
  • Ferrara
  • Olbia
  • Rome
  • Basilicata
  • Monte Vernita
  • Costa Jonica

Sources