a+u 2026:11 Feature: Alvar Aalto Churches Italy: Another Origin
Content
November issue of a+u features Alvar Aalto’s church architecture. Previous issues explored the materials and details of his houses (a+u 21:03) and the landscapes of his libraries (a+u23:04). Once again, we welcome Finnish photographer Jari Jetsonen and architectural historian Sirkkaliisa Jetsonen as guest editors, this time exploring Aalto’s church architecture through his connections with Italy. In 1924, Alvar and Aino Aalto visited Italy on a month-long honeymoon. In “The Hilltop Town” (p. 6), written after their return, Aalto discussed the relationship between topography and human activity through the landscapes of towns and churches scattered across the Italian hills. Speaking of churches as spiritual anchors for communities, he later described finding the archetypal landscapes of Finland in Italy (“Journey to Italy”, p. 78). This issue also presents two of Aalto’s early church projects that have remained largely unknown. Both were interior renovations of small churches. His critical stance toward Finnish church architecture at the time is clearly expressed in “Finnish Church Art”, written in 1925 (p. 34). Taking his travels to Italy as a starting point, we explore ornament, materials, details, and the role of churches as places where people gather. (a+u)
Essay:
Culture and Italy – Cornerstones of Aaltos’ Architecture
Sirkkaliisa Jetsonen
Essays by Alvar Aalto:
The Hilltop Town
Finnish Church Art
Journey to Italy
Chronology: Alvar Aalto and His Churches
Alvar Aalto Retrospective Exhibition 1965–1966
Korpilahti Church Renovation
Viitasaari Church Renovation
Anttola Church Restoration
Muurame Church
Church of the Three Crosses
Cross of the Plains Church
Church of the Holy Spirit
Detmerode Church
Church of the Cross
Riola Parish Complex