Spiritually Diseased Architecture: “Resurrection Church” in Viareggio, Italy

If this is heaven, what does hell look like?

Spiritually Diseased Architecture:
“Resurrection Church” in Viareggio, Italy

(image: YouTube screenshot)

Eyesores are a curious phenomenon. Even though they are painful to endure, one nevertheless feels the urge to look.

A good example of that would be the Novus Ordo “Church of the Resurrection of Our Lord” (Chiesa della Resurrezione di Nostro Signore) in Viareggio, Italy, between Genoa and Florence. Clearly the architectural expression of the spirit of Vatican II, it sits in the archdiocese of Lucca, where Mr. Paolo Giulietti plays the role of “Catholic archbishop”.

The monstrosity in question, designed by Italian architect Massimo Lepore, comes with all the grace and style of a meat processing plant, at least on the outside. Construction took roughly two years and was completed in 2019.

The result can be seen in the photos below:

All images by Andrea Avezzù (source: Fondazione Frate Sole / fair use)

The following video reports on the construction of the church and shows extensive footage of the inside and outside after completion (Italian):

Oh well. If this is what “resurrection” looks like, many people will prefer to remain in the grave.

An interesting tidbit: This monster church in Viareggio was an applicant for the 2020 International Prize for Sacred Architecture of the Frate Sole Foundation. According to the official contest rules: “The works submitted must communicate expressive qualities of mystical values, harmony, and beauty in form, originality and creative in architectural design, giving the building a great sense of spirituality, a courageous and passionate expression in innovative research, beyond any conventionalist manner.”

Unfortunately, that Italian “Resurrection” parish didn’t get the prize — it got beaten by “God’s Skip Jump” in Munich. Clearly not enough “courageous and passionate expression”!

At the end of the day, however, it is a really good thing that Novus Ordos make their temples so hideous, profane, and naturalistic. This way, no one mistakes them for Catholic churches.