Sacra Famiglia Church, Postmodern church in Fratte district, Salerno, Italy.
Sacra Famiglia Church is a church building in the Fratte district built from six interlocking concrete domes that form its main structure. The interior is arranged in circular sections that connect to one another, with the whole design relying on reinforced concrete as its primary material.
The building was designed and completed by architect Paolo Portoghesi in 1971. Its completion marked a turning point in how religious buildings were designed, moving away from traditional rectangular forms toward bold geometric shapes.
The rounded forms create a worship space that feels very different from traditional church interiors. Local worshippers experience how the circular design shapes the way people gather and participate in daily religious life.
The church is open on most days, but visiting outside of service times allows you to explore the architecture more freely. The location sits on a hillside in the Fratte area, so reaching it involves some walking from the main bus stop.
The design was conceived as an attempt to express religious concepts through pure form rather than relying on traditional symbols. Standing inside, visitors notice an unexpected brightness from the way light filters through the concrete domes above.
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